With the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round included several convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much 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 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
