Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
There are strong teams in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
