With the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage featured several convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the squad, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by Pumas 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
