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Now that the first round of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. But, the initial stage included several impressive wins from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.

Currently sitting sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are well-positioned of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.

Given a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.

Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with that pair on the edges has a chance against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

The current English champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

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

They marry creative spark – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a fightback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the squad, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

After winning a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.

The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.

With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.

With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in the last few years it hasn't gone to plan, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.

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

Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength selected.

Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.

The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was a leading candidate.

Pau have been having a brilliant season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

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