Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round showcased a number of impressive wins from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination 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 among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, 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 claimed a key pass 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 Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
