Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured a number of statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
