With the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round showcased a number of impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following 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 third in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
