Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout 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 missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
