With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. But, the opening round included multiple impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
