With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the edges is a threat against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists 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 last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup 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 furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
