With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. But, the initial stage included several statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns 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 overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
