With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. But, the opening round featured several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, 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 backing up a 62-0 thrashing 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 key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist 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 Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
