Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. However, the first weekend included several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about 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 two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons 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 heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear 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 in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
