Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but their section appears poised 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 triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites 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 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
