Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat now. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 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 traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
