Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the opening round showcased several convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout 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 occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
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 all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
