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With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.

Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all hailing from France's elite division. However, the first weekend featured a number of impressive wins from new rivals.

Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.

Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the halftime.

France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.

Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance

Bath's sole success in this competition came almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a surprise group-stage exit last year.

Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.

They combine offensive flair – sealing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their guests at a distance when they threatened a late rally.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the squad, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage the previous year was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.

Having secured a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the existing pool system, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.

The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important five points.

In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.

With the French giants – commanding 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 Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

However in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge

Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.

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

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did face the French powerhouses respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match

There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are presently second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's