Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage included multiple convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages 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 not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
