With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the opening round showcased several convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dominating 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 this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
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 the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 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 secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
