Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
