Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend showcased several impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors 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 precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow 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 Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, 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 atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
