Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. However, the opening round showcased multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the feat this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, 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 turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland 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.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns 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 last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
