Major Lessons following the Champions Cup's First Round
Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season 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 believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered 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 pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's