With the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage featured a number of statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now 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 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
