With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured a number of statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
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 Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, 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 the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
