🔗 Share this article

Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points stemming from the games.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured several convincing performances from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe a year ago, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.

Positioned sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing another trophy with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.

Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.

However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the wings has a chance against whoever they face.

Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

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

They combine creative spark – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their opponents at a distance when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they are surely genuine challengers for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a Premiership title to their name and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start

The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the competition's present structure, 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 Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a positive start and, in turn, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.

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

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the final piece 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 provided a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and last year no South African side was able to progress out of the group stage, with several rotated sides selected.

Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.

The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the tournament, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Saints and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest

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

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

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