With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. But, the first weekend included several convincing performances from potential rivals.
Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the accomplishment this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.
But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.
France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to secure another title.
The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the team, they are surely credible threats for a continental title since 1998.
Bath's key result in the pools last season occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a domestic championship in their history and top in England once more, 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 in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.
The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.
With this result, they gave their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to the Sharks.
With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts 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 been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.
This year they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.
The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did face the French powerhouses respectively.
Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest
There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.
Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's