Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage featured several impressive wins from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
