Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. But, the first weekend featured a number of statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance 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 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 quarter-finals, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
