With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. But, the opening round included multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering 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 this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years 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 domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the squad, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road 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 at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with often weakened teams used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
