Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points stemming from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. However, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, 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 recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago 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 thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow 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 Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
