With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. However, the first weekend featured several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out 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 edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, 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 secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
