With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
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 last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
