Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage included a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
