Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the opening round featured multiple statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear 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 last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
