With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the opening round included a number of impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 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 key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
