With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage showcased a number of statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
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 opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling 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 final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
