Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – securing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined 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 turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
