With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful 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, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section 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 triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
