Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. But, the opening round showcased a number of convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, 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 precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
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 last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
