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Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the last five champions all calling home France's top flight. Yet, the opening round featured multiple convincing performances from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the grand finale.

Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their ability to repeat the title this season. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are well-positioned of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.

Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the interval.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.

Powerful Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run

Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.

The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into Europe – on the back of a unexpected elimination last year.

Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the United Rugby Championship.

They blend creative spark – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the pools last season was in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a domestic championship in their history and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start

There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.

In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's win on the road 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 during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.

With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, conversely, handed a hefty blow to their opponents.

With Toulouse – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.

And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in recent memory to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

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

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.

Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.

The words from players and coaches were positive too, with the squad and staff speaking of their aspirations, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.

Northampton and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter

There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was among the best.

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

They are currently second in the French championship and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's