Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round included several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, 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 turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, 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 building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
