Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend included a number of convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including 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 second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, 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 atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
