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With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's top flight. But, the opening round featured multiple statement victories from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

But, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the halftime.

French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any competition.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's only triumph in Europe came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been better equipped to add a second star.

The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.

They blend offensive flair – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth all over the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage last season was in the following week, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.

Now with a Premiership title under their belt and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start

You will find quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.

In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding 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 trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.

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

With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.

And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

However in recent campaigns 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 heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

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 the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams selected.

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

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.

The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.

The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter

There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.

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

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