Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the first weekend showcased several convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists 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 round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
