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With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the primary lessons highlighted by the fixtures.

French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. However, the opening round featured several statement victories from new contenders.

Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the feat this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.

Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals 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, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls without a point after the break.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance

Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.

The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.

They marry creative spark – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at bay when they threatened a late rally.

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

Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage the previous year came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start

You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section 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 away victory at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.

The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.

With this result, they handed their prospects of qualification a positive start and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.

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

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

But in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year none of them managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams used.

Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff expressing their ambition, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Memorable Match

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

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