Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. But, the initial stage showcased multiple impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
