Now that 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 been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful 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, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
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 endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
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 none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
