Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included a number of statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests 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 throughout the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season 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 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to have a long run in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
