Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round included several statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
