With the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. But, the first weekend showcased a number of convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine creative spark – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's