With the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage featured several impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
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 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
