Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. But, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from emerging contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting 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 second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry creative spark – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at bay when they attempted a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides everywhere you look, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against 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 recent memory to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.
Pau have been having a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
