With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the initial stage showcased several impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section appears poised 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 triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
