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Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. But, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.

Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title this year. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.

Given a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.

France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any competition.

Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.

The current English champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.

Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.

They blend attacking verve – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

Now with a league trophy to their name and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback

There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.

The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious five points.

By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.

And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

When considering a contender you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance 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 Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides used.

Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.

The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match

There were several candidates for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.

Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

They are right now second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's