Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. But, the opening round included a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not 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 carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry creative spark – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their visitors at a distance when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. 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 round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat 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 first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
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 quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
