Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. But, the first weekend showcased a number of impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas 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
