Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. However, the opening round included several convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
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 combine offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow 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
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
