Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. However, the initial stage featured multiple convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the team, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced 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 try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
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 last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
