Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured a number of statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised 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 win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, 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 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, 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 return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
