With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured several impressive wins from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.
But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine creative spark – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
You will find strong teams in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides 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 managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
