With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.
Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.
Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.
France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against any competition.
Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.
The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.
They blend creative spark – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.
With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage last season occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.
Having secured a league trophy to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.
The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but their section looks set 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 away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just prove crucial.
The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.
With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.
When considering a contender you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following 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 All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.
This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.
Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.
The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are currently in second place in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
Elena Hartwell is a multidisciplinary artist and educator passionate about fostering creative communities in London.