With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
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 no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
