With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the opening round featured several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
