Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage showcased a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Finalists 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 last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory 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 deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
