Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points emerging from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago came in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back 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
