Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend included multiple convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset 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 debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
