Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the opening round showcased several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists 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 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, 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 Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
