With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend showcased multiple statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious five points.
By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. 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 missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in 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 individuals involved expressing their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up 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 campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
