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Following the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.

French dominance has defined the competition in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. However, the opening round showcased several convincing performances from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Look Set to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the accomplishment now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are fully equipped of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.

But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.

French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any opponent.

Impressive Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title

Bath's lone victory in Europe dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination last year.

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 United Rugby Championship.

They marry attacking verve – earning the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow

The tournament contains powerful sides in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is made 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 Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious maximum haul.

With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to Sale.

With the red and blacks – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.

And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock former champions Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?

Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.

This season they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up

Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with several weakened teams selected.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars 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 go deep into the event, but don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.

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

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