Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round showcased a number of convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding 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 outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They combine offensive flair – securing the bonus 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 in the half-backs and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory 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 during the beginning of the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory 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 became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with several weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
