Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. But, the first weekend featured several convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping 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 extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves all over the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
