With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. But, the opening round showcased several statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential 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 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back 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 deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
