Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
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 the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made 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 Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists 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 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
