Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. However, the opening round included multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors 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 all over the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites 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 thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
