With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. But, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
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 Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
