Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's Top 14. But, the initial stage featured a number of statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the interval.
French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup 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 the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been having a outstanding season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
