Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. However, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, 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 feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns 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 last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now 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.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with several weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
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 championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
