With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. However, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But 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 heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered 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 Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with often rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
