Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. But, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
