With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured several impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
