Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. But, the initial stage showcased multiple impressive wins from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides in every pool, 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 win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat 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 debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
