With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. However, the initial stage showcased several statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine creative spark – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, 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 overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 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 missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
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, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
