Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. But, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
