Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round featured several statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
