Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage featured several statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
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 recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset 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 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem 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 quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
