Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round included a number of statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
