Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage included multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms 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 whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
