Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. But, the first weekend showcased several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side 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 campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists 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 round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, 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 crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
