Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. However, the opening round included multiple statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, led by Pumas 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
