With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased multiple statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never 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 translate that form into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, 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 all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year came in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
There are powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, 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 team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow 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 in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
