With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. However, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, storming 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 were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in this competition came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are powerful sides in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, 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 Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, 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 positive start and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – imperious 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 what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing 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 All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
