Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round showcased a number of statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting 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 credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end 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 fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow 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 Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
