Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the initial stage featured multiple impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, 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 halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy to their name and top the home league, 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 the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, 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 Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction 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 endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow 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 Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
