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With the first round of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points stemming from the fixtures.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the first weekend featured several statement victories from potential challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.

Given a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.

But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the halftime.

France international aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the wings is a threat against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.

The defending English Premiership champions 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 surprise group-stage exit last year.

Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.

They blend attacking verve – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's key result in the pools a year ago was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

After winning a Premiership title under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback

There are strong teams in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding 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 responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable bonus-point win.

By achieving this, they provided their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to Sale.

With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for high-stakes drama.

And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.

Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.

However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, 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 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring 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 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 quarter-finals, and last year no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.

Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.

The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match

There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.

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

They are right now second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's