Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. Yet, the opening round included multiple statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy 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 hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist 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 time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to have a long run in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
