Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. But, the opening round included a number of convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in this competition was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend creative spark – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at bay when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut 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 became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
