Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round included a number of statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
