With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. However, the initial stage featured a number of statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but their section appears poised 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 triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year 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 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
