Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling 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 missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises 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 was able to progress out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging 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 first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
