With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased multiple impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
