Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage featured multiple statement victories from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing 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 missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring 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 time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with often rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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
