Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the opening round showcased a number of impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
