Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. However, the first weekend showcased several convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry creative spark – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started 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 ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
