With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. However, the opening round featured a number of statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry creative spark – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites 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 thrashing 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 key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
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 Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
