Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the opening round featured several convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing 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 New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
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 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup 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 not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several rotated sides used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began 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 speaking of their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
