Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given 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, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
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 tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
