Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. But, the first weekend included several impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress 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, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises 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 pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign 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 words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
