Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. However, the first weekend included several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress 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 half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
