Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. But, the initial stage included several impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
