Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage featured several convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
