With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. However, the opening round featured several convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining 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 across the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
