With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure 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 URC.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut 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 Appear Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
