Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns 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 overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
