With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the first weekend showcased multiple impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international 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 has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way 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 the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
