Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round included multiple convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential 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 last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
