With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased several impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt 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 everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, spearheaded 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
