With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend included several impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one 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 continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
