Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. However, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, 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 agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
