With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round included a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section 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 win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
