Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured several statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
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 combine attacking verve – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand 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 tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging 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 been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
