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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.

French dominance has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all calling home France's Top 14. But, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the domestic standings, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the feat now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning another trophy with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.

However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.

French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with such firepower on the edges is a threat against any opponent.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.

The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile at home after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure the previous season.

Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.

They blend attacking verve – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves across the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a domestic championship in their history and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback

You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but the first group looks set 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 triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just turn out to be vital.

The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.

In doing so, they provided their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, handed a hefty blow to Sale.

With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.

And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in a long time to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

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

Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year none of them succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The words from players and coaches were promising too, with players and coaches talking about their aspirations, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the first match.

The Stormers look the best bet for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in the opening round but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a superb campaign, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

They are currently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's