Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. Yet, the opening round included several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy to their name and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a major lift and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered 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 Seem Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
