With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage showcased multiple impressive wins from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals 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 showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the pools last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides used.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the players such as Springboks 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 have a long run in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
