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Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round featured a number of statement victories from new rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

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

Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

Les Bleus stars aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to win it again.

The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.

They blend offensive flair – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a domestic championship to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow

There are strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One looks set to be one of the tightest.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.

The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important five points.

With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.

With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for many thrilling contests.

And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?

Should you pick one side you would expect to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were ambushed and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

Now 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 win over Harlequins.

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

Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete

Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength fielded.

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

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to go deep into the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Classic Encounter

There were several candidates for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.

Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

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