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Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points highlighted by the games.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's Top 14. But, the initial stage showcased multiple impressive wins from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in the competition last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.

Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.

Yet, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.

French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with those two on the wings is a threat against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more prepared to win it again.

The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a shocking early departure last year.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.

They blend creative spark – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the pools last season occurred in the following week, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.

Now with a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start

You will find strong teams everywhere you look, but Pool One 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 away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just be pivotal.

The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a valuable maximum haul.

By achieving this, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for high-stakes drama.

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

Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?

If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

But in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

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

Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often rotated sides used.

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

The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

The English and French Sides Produce a Classic Encounter

There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.

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

They are presently runner-up in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's