Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the games.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. However, the initial stage showcased a number of statement victories from potential contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.
The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about 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 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to Sale.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. 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 round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to progress far in the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
