With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including internationals 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 to zero after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. 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 last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
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 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined 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 managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
