Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round featured several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
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 extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss 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 first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
