Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round included multiple impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, 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 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 five points.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
