Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage included multiple convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season 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 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
