Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. But, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with often weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
