Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured several impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set 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 away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable 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 were defeated this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
