Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. However, the opening round included a number of convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend creative spark – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons 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 the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered 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 time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
