Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the opening round included multiple impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, 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. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
