With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend showcased multiple statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined 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 away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors 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 bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
