Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations stemming from the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting 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 showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
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 be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow 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 Appear Ready to Step Up
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 the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
