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Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent years, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.

But, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.

France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against any competition.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.

The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.

They marry creative spark – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the squad, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a domestic championship to their name and top the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow

There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.

The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.

In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, in turn, dealt a hefty blow to the Sharks.

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

And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

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

But in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

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

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

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.

Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.

Pau have been experiencing a brilliant season, guided by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

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