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Following the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons 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 elite division. However, the first weekend featured a number of convincing performances from new rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.

Lying sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title now. But, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden win on the road 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 went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.

But, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the halftime.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against whoever they face.

Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.

Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.

They marry offensive flair – earning the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they threatened a fightback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the pools a year ago was in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow

There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.

The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious bonus-point win.

With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.

With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.

And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, 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 following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.

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

Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.

Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a South African side to have a long run in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.

The English and French Sides Deliver a Memorable Match

There were a few contenders for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.

Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's