Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against whoever they face.
Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback
There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, 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 surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. 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 hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear 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 in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
