Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend included multiple statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars 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 final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day 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 five points.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
