Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased multiple impressive wins from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year 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 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
