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With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. However, the first weekend featured multiple impressive wins from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.

Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.

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 wings is a threat against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to win it again.

The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.

They blend creative spark – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the squad, they are surely genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase last season occurred in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a changed side.

After winning a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow

There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.

The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to Sale.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.

And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

Should you pick one side you would expect to be in the mix at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

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

Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge

Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were positive too, with the squad and staff talking about their goals, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the tournament, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match

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

Pau have been having a superb season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's