With the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
