Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased multiple impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue 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, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road 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 during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, 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 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
