With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend included several statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in Europe was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
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 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
