Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend attacking verve – securing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist 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 Look 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 succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
