Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased several convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding 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 outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide 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 looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day 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 all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 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 surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
