With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured a number of statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, 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 ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the team, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 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 what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
