Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included several statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the roster, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered 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 claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
