Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the opening round included several impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – sealing the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the squad, 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 was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are quality outfits in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
