With the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. However, the first weekend showcased a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international phenoms 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 competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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
