Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the first weekend included multiple statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons 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 the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
