Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. But, the opening round included multiple convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding 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 14-0 down 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 hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
