With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered 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 Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
