With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. But, the first weekend showcased a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up 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 All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant 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 atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
