Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, 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 building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem 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 quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
