Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. But, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
