With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the first weekend showcased a number of impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping 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 such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
