Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the games.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. But, the initial stage included several convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the title now. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.
However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The current English champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start
There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.
With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a hefty blow to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.
Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match
There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are right now second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
