Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. However, the first weekend included several convincing performances from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this season. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.
Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at a distance when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth across the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in 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.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.
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 atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
