Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the opening round showcased multiple convincing performances from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any competition.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their visitors at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
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 season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now 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 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
