Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 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 win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
