Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. However, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing 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 stars 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 period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with that pair on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.
The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their guests at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase last season was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised 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 triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
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 the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
