Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, 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 turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to have a long run in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
