Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the initial stage showcased multiple statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to claim 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 both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists 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 round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
