Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
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 in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
