Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. But, the first weekend showcased multiple statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined 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 the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem 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 not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
