Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's top flight. But, the opening round included several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition was almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.
They combine attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at bay when they attempted a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's