With the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
