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Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.

Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the flanks has a chance against any competition.

Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.

The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

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

They combine offensive flair – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and quality reserves all over the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a domestic championship in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback

The tournament contains quality outfits in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the tightest.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.

The Scottish side were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable five points.

In doing so, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.

And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back 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.

Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

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

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.

The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.

Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest

There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was a leading candidate.

Pau have been having a superb season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's