Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
