Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the opening round included several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
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 first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
