Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
