With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, 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 following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
