With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included multiple impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring 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 period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
