With the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. But, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend creative spark – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in 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 encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
