Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. However, the first weekend included multiple convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, 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.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow 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 Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of 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 most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
