With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons 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 a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started 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 the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying 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 French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
