Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. However, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 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-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
