With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage showcased a number of statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win 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 ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season 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 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
