With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included multiple impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks stands a good 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. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy 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.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut 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 Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
