Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend featured multiple impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of 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 third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
