With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for 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 Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut 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
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
