With the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges has a chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend offensive flair – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy in their history and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road 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 half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
