With the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage showcased a number of statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
