Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld 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.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 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 regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season 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 hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
