Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. But, the first weekend included several statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
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 wings has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
