Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the first weekend featured a number of impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out 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 wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
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 – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
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 team from Scotland were 14-0 down 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 chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back 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 deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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
