Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend showcased multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents 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 second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
