Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend showcased several impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years 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 overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key 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 Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
