Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round showcased several convincing performances from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the edges is a threat against any opponent.
Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition came almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.
By achieving this, they handed their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 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 win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Ready to Step Up
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides used.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were promising too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
