With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round showcased several statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie 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 break.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors 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 five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
