With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine creative spark – securing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the squad, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
