With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the first weekend included a number of statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
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 turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now 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 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
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 last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
