With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend included multiple statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One 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 prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
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 bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
