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Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the games.

Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. But, the initial stage showcased several statement victories from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Retain Their Crown

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.

Lying sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.

However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.

Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run

Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – especially after a shocking early departure last year.

Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.

They combine creative spark – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's key result in the pools the previous year was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a Premiership title to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback

There are quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.

The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.

By achieving this, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, inflicted a significant setback to their opponents.

With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.

This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

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

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides fielded.

Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.

The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter

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

Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

They are currently second in the French league and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's