Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
You will find quality outfits in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, 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 turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
