Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all calling home France's top flight. But, the first weekend included multiple convincing performances from emerging rivals.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.
Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.
But, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's sole success in this competition came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
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 attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.
After winning a league trophy under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback
The tournament contains powerful sides throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.
In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.
In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?
If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.
Is Ioane the man to secure European glory 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 last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter
There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
