Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. However, the first weekend featured several impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue 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 the break.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. 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 sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
