With the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the key revelations highlighted by the games.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the halftime.
France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – especially after a unexpected elimination the previous season.
Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at a distance when they threatened a fightback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the squad, they are surely serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.
After winning a league trophy in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.
Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but the first group seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
If there's one team you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his bow 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 Look Ready to Step Up
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the group stage, with often weakened teams selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.
The English and French Sides Produce a Memorable Match
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was right up there.
Pau have been experiencing a superb season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's