Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased multiple statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
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 five points.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites 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 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
