With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included several statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided 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 atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
