Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations stemming from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured multiple statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, 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 Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured 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 claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
