With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
