Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the initial stage featured several impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero 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 side with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However 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 the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered 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 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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
