Edinburgh made it three from three and seized the United Rugby Championship lead, with a bonus-point win on the road against Zebre.
The United Rugby Championship now has a distinctly African flavour, with South Africa's Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions sharing a table with the best of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy. Early in this new era, Edinburgh have moved to the top of that standings board, and every side chasing them, from Pretoria to Cape Town, will have noticed.
Edinburgh's bonus-point victory away at Zebre was their third win in as many outings. A bonus point means they did more than win. They played with enough attacking intent to pick up the extra reward on top of the victory, and that can matter a great deal in a league this tight.
For Zebre, the Italian side, it was another tough afternoon in a competition where fine margins and strong depth decide the season. Edinburgh took their chances and kept their composure on the road, which is the mark of a team with serious ambitions.
It is early days and the table will shift plenty over the coming weeks. Still, a perfect start with maximum momentum is the best foundation a side can build on. With the South African franchises bringing their physicality and flair to the league, Edinburgh will have to keep delivering to stay on top.
