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Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.

Faced with a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.

However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any competition.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to secure another title.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the URC.

They blend attacking verve – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage last season occurred in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

After winning a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start

There are powerful sides in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.

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

With this result, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.

With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And as for Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would predict to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

But in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.

Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides selected.

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

The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.

The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter

There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was right up there.

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

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