Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
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-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved talking about 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 best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
