Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations stemming from the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure 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 caliber of stars 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 don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
