Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the first weekend showcased a number of convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago 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 thought that Kiwi international 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 semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory 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 best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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
