Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured several statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home 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 side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland 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 valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition 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 multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
