Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the first weekend included multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise 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 expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
