Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the opening round included multiple statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began 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 talking about their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
