With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely 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 narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side 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 maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
