With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured a number of statement victories from potential challengers.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. But, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to add a second star.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They blend creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
Now with a league trophy under their belt and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious five points.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
