With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points emerging 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 opening round featured several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in the last few years 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 heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
