With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage featured multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
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 Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the roster, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, 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 be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons 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 last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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
