With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league 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 highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, 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 Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star 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 semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear 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 quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
