Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend included several statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance 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 Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started 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 promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
