Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the key revelations stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage showcased multiple impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships 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 internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves across the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with several rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in 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 Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
