Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
