With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included several convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars 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 showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground 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 fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined 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 managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the likes of 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 SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
