Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. However, the first weekend featured multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress 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.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, 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 registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
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 last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
