Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included several convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine creative spark – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One seems destined 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 the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions 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 the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back 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
