Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend featured a number of statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the team, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, 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 building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
