Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment 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 interval.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms 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 is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove 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 last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
