Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. But, the first weekend showcased several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost three decades 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 at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
