With the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend showcased several convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine creative spark – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
