With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. However, the first weekend included a number of convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
