Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend included several convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
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 opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides 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 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 is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
