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Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points stemming from the games.

Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured several statement victories from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.

Currently sitting sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.

Given a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the break.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the wings has a chance against any competition.

Powerful Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance

Bath's sole success in Europe came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.

Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the Celtic league.

They marry attacking verve – earning the bonus point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

After winning a Premiership title under their belt and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback

The tournament contains strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.

The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.

By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed 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 registered a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.

The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.

Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's