Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. However, the opening round included several impressive wins from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals 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 the Scottish game.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up 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 round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
