Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend showcased several impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined 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 pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
