Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix 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 promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
