Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. However, the opening round included multiple statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment 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 the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend creative spark – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
