With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased multiple statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
