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Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the games.

French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the initial stage showcased multiple convincing performances from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament last season, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.

Lying sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Given a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the break.

However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against whoever they face.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.

The current English champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be aiming to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

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

They combine creative spark – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth throughout the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year was in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.

Now with a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

There are powerful sides in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is emphasized regarding victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just prove crucial.

The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.

With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

However in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but not won the trophy. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did play the French powerhouses respectively.

Northampton and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were several candidates for best fixture, and this one was a leading candidate.

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

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