Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. However, the initial stage showcased a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend creative spark – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, 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 turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
