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With the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage showcased several statement victories from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.

But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the break.

France international phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's sole success in this competition was almost three decades ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to win it again.

The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.

They combine offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at arm's length when they attempted a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback

You will find quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding 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 team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.

By achieving this, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.

And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing 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 Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.

Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.

Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are first in 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 individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.

The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.

Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are presently in second place in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's