Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage showcased a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a Premiership title under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up 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 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides used.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
