With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage showcased several impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
