With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage featured a number of statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
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 Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago 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 thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
