With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss 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 concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners 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 the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with often weakened teams used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
