Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points stemming from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the first weekend featured multiple impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, 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 capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined 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 succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
