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With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the fixtures.

Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round featured several statement victories from new rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.

Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.

Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

French try-scoring 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 stands a good chance against any competition.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

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

Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.

They combine offensive flair – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's key result in the initial phase the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.

After winning a domestic championship in their history and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow

There are strong teams in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.

In the existing pool system, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.

The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect high-stakes drama.

And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

Yet in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

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 stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams used.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the likes 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, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and that clash was right up there.

Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker 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