With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy 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 Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading 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 the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
