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Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. However, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.

Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the title now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.

Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.

Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into Europe – especially after a shocking early departure the previous season.

Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.

They blend creative spark – securing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at arm's length when they attempted a fightback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the team, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow

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

In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.

The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.

With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.

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

Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

Should you pick one side you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season 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 believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced 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 registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often rotated sides used.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.

The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter

There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

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