Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. However, the opening round showcased a number of impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect 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 hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress 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 kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
