Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. However, the opening round included several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, 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 came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, 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 bring the trophy back 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 furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
