With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. But, the opening round showcased multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
