With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included a number of convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling 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 win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year 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.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with often weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
