Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend featured several convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
