Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend featured a number of statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned 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 formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools the previous year came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side 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 hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem 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 quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
