Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend featured several convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding 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 two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following 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 Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
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 in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
