With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the first weekend included several statement victories from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They marry creative spark – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign 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 thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it 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 began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
