With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. Yet, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – securing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
