With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased several statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment 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 the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe 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 leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look 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 quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
