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Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all calling home France's elite division. Yet, the opening round featured a number of impressive wins from new contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.

Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.

Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.

French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.

The current English champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.

They blend creative spark – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

After winning a domestic championship in their history and leading domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.

The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.

By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

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

Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

If there's one team you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge

Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength used.

Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were promising too, with players and coaches speaking of their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.

Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match

There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and that clash was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are presently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's