Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend included several impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening 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 during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
