Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. However, the initial stage included several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup 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 furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
