With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the opening round featured multiple impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns 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 the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion 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 last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? 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 words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
