With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend showcased several convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following 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 take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
