Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld 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 half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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
