🔗 Share this article

Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the games.

Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the initial stage showcased a number of impressive wins from new challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the final.

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the feat this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.

Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with those two on the edges is a threat against whoever they face.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.

They combine creative spark – sealing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad throughout the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

Now with a Premiership title to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow

The tournament contains powerful sides everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, 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 responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.

In doing so, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.

With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.

And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites 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 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to win the championship, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist 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 time since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams used.

Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.

The English and French Sides Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.

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

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