With the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. But, the opening round included several impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Pumas 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 atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
