Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage showcased multiple statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce 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 enjoying a brilliant season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
