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Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the primary lessons emerging from the fixtures.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. But, the initial stage featured several impressive wins from emerging contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.

Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

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

Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any side with such firepower on the flanks stands a good chance against any competition.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in Europe was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to secure another title.

The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.

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

They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at a distance when they attempted a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth across the team, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the pools last season occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a league trophy to their name and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow

There are powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the tightest.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.

The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.

In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.

With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 victors over 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 produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Quest?

If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.

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

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

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often weakened teams fielded.

Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are first in the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.

The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to go deep into the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Produce a Memorable Match

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

Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

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