Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off 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 players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
