With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage featured a number of statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title now. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory 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 responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear 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 the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
