With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. But, the first weekend included a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, 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 trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago 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 thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
