Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. However, the opening round featured several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding 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 Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, guided 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
