Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 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 secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back 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
