Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. But, the opening round featured multiple impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
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 showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with often weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
