Five Champions Cup learnings from round one

Jordie Barrett (left) made his Leinster debut and Henry Pollock (right) continues to establish himself at Northampton Saints

Jordie Barrett's European debut, 83 tries and Storm Darragh all made for a thrilling start to the 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup.

European rugby's big hitters, alongside three South African sides, all kickstarted their campaigns - so what are the key talking points?

BBC Sport takes a look at five things we learned from the opening round of matches.

Glasgow highlight title credentials

United Rugby Championship winners Glasgow are Scottish rugby's sole representatives in this year's Champions Cup, but they are tipped by many to go deep into the competition.

The Scottish side wrapped up their try-scoring bonus point inside 23 minutes on their way to a 38-18 victory over Premiership club Sale Sharks.

Scrum-half George Horne scored 21 points, including a hat-trick of first-half tries, while Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones and Scott Cummings also crossed for the hosts in a dominant display.

Horne's second try was particularly impressive as he chased down his own clever grubber kick for a fine solo finish.

Glasgow travel to three-time winners Toulon in their next game on Sunday and victory will set the visitors on course for the round of 16.

Saracens lead English challenge

Saracens' three titles make them the most successful English side in the history of this competition.

Some of Sarries' stars from the golden era have moved on to pastures new, but many of the core still remain.

England captain Jamie George was one of four Saracens try-scorers as the hosts came from behind to claim a 27-5 bonus-point victory over South African side Bulls at StoneX Stadium.

Northampton Saints also opened up with a 38-8 bonus-point victory over Castres despite the difficult conditions caused by Storm Darragh.

That was as good as it got for the Premiership sides, though, as Bath, Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears all lost their opening matches.

Pollock shows he's one for the present

Northampton's teenage flanker Henry Pollock proves he is a man for the present and the future, despite his age.

The 19-year-old - a key part of England's team that won the Under-20 World Championship - produced a tireless performance, clearing out breakdowns and tackling anything wearing the white of Castres.

His solo try late in the game, spinning and charging through defenders, was also a "fantastic finish", according to England women's scrum-half Natasha Hunt.

"I just love the intent on his face as he is carrying the ball," Hunt told Premier Sports.

Former England scrum-half Danny Care, speaking to Rugby Union Weekly, agreed.

"You can see he absolutely loves it," said Care of Pollock.

"He is raw but he definitely has something. He is obviously a very confident lad, he is doing exactly what Phil Downson and Steve Borthwick are telling him to do, which is consistently perform and be the best player for Northampton and show that you can mix in that next level up."

Ex-England and British and Irish Lions wing Ugo Monye rued England's caution in not giving Pollock a senior opportunity in their final autumn international, a 59-14 win over Japan.

"I watched Henry Pollock playing for England A against Australia A and I thought he was class," Monye told Rugby Union Weekly.

"I thought he needed to start or be on the bench against Japan - I was shocked to not see him involved, it seemed like the was the perfect game for him."

Weather warning

Storm Darragh made its mark on the British Isles during the opening weekend as matches staged in England and Ireland had to contend with the elements.

La Rochelle full-back Brice Dulin spilled a routine kick in the first minute of Friday's opener under torrential rain at Bath, while a simple conversion attempt by Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke was blown off course by the wind.

Later in the same game, Sarries' Elliot Daly also fell foul of the stormy conditions when he attempted to kick for touch, only to see the ball blown backwards and finish behind him.

Northampton made a blistering start against Castres before they had to adapt their style of attack as the storm strengthened its grip on the east Midlands.

There was no trace of the storm thousands of miles away in the Durban sunshine, meanwhile, with last year's Challenge Cup winners Sharks dominating Exeter Chiefs as South Africa captain Siya Kolisi scored two of their five tries.

Pre-tournament favourites cruise to victory

Six-time winners Toulouse scored nine tries as they began the defence of their title with a thumping 61-21 bonus-point win over Ulster.

Skipper Antoine Dupont was at his influential best, sniping through gaps, making assists by boot and with ball in hand, while also crossing the whitewash himself.

Bordeaux Begles trailed Leicester at half time before ruthlessly exposing the English side with a flurry of tries, including a brace for Louis Bielle-Biarrey, after the break.

Leinster also needed an improved display in the second half to overcome Premiership high-fliers Bristol as debutant Barrett came off the bench alongside South Africa lock RG Snyman and Ireland number eight Caelan Doris.

Barrett created a try for Sam Prendergast within minutes before turning from provider to finisher after a clever dummy. The stalwart All Black could be the sprinkling of stardust to help Leinster overcome the disappointment of defeat in the last three finals.