Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage included multiple statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title now. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance 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 Appear Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
