With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.
Lying sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the feat this season. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including 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 showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the edges has a chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the United Rugby Championship.
They blend creative spark – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a domestic championship to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are powerful sides in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, 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 registered 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 Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
