Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. But, the initial stage included a number of impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 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 old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten 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 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
