Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. But, the opening round showcased several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
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 the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half 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
