Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage featured several statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
However in recent campaigns 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 overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance 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 Look Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
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 second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
