Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the opening round showcased a number of convincing performances from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out 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 key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
