With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. But, the first weekend included a number of convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning 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 formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
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 bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
