Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. Yet, the opening round included multiple convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding 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 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 all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat 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 last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
