Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. Yet, in round one, 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.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never 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 carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group 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 win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign 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 Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
