With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. But, the first weekend included several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
