Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.
Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured several convincing performances from emerging challengers.
Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.
Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with those two on the edges has a chance against whoever they face.
Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.
Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They combine creative spark – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the team, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a domestic championship to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow
There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.
In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.
With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.
And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?
Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.
However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after building on 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 Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.
Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
