Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. But, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised 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 scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
