Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend showcased multiple statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants 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 the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
