Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.
French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage showcased several statement victories from new rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title now. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment 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 the interval.
But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a Premiership title in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they provided their hopes of advancing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Look Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently second in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
