Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the first weekend included multiple impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped 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 carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team 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, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
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 succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win 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 look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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
