Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry creative spark – securing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons 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 building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
