Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be 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 Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered 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 several rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars 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 have a long run in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
