Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. However, the first weekend included several convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals 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 unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about 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 at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches 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 look the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
