With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. But, the first weekend featured multiple statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry creative spark – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
