Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend featured several statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 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 missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
