Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.
Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the wings has a chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a Premiership title to their name and leading domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start
You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important five points.
With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Will Ioane Be 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 Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to have a long run in the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been having a brilliant season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's