Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, 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 trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
