With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round showcased a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with often weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? 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 post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
