With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. Yet, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago 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 hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided 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 Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
