Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. However, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder 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 a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, 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 fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key 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 Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
