Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage included several statement victories from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress 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 displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against whoever they face.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, 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 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's