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With the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the fixtures.

Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from potential challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.

Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.

Given a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.

However, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.

Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run

Bath's lone victory in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been better equipped to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.

They combine offensive flair – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a Premiership title 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 season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

There are quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One looks set to be one of the most competitive.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.

The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious five points.

With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.

With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were ambushed and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

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

Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.

The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to go deep into the competition, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.

Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match

There were several candidates for match of the round, and that clash was among the best.

Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are presently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's