With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage featured several convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of 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 managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
