Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend featured several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
