With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the initial stage included several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key 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 occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
