Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend included a number of impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns 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 the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
