Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included a number of statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made 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 came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes 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.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
