Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise 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 face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
