With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. But, the initial stage featured several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy in their history and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, 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 two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international 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 semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
