With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the first weekend featured several convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost a generation 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 transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth all over the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory 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 at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
