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With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the weekend's action.

French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. However, the opening round showcased multiple statement victories from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.

Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat now. However, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of securing back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.

But, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the second period, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the flanks stands a good chance against any opponent.

Powerful Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's sole success in this competition came almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have probably never been better equipped to add a second star.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.

They blend creative spark – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season came in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.

Now with a Premiership title in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow

You will find quality outfits in every pool, but Pool One seems destined to be one of the most competitive.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.

The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.

In doing so, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a significant setback to their opponents.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect high-stakes drama.

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

Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

However in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.

Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

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

Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.

Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff talking about their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to have a long run in the event, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did face formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match

There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.

Pau have been enjoying a brilliant campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are presently in second place in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's