Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. But, the opening round included a number of convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
