Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. However, the opening round featured multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of 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 individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
