Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. However, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
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 URC.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
