Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included a number of statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following 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 All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
