Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. However, the first weekend showcased several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined 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 win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors 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 all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals 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 write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
