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Now that the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.

Gallic supremacy has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all representing France's top flight. Yet, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.

Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of winning consecutive championships with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a tough assignment at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

Yet, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.

France international phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any outfit with that pair on the wings is a threat against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's lone victory in Europe was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

The reigning domestic title-holders are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the URC.

They marry creative spark – securing the try-scoring point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their guests at arm's length when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the following week, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a league trophy under their belt and top domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start

You will find strong teams in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.

The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.

In doing so, they gave their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we should be in for plenty of fireworks.

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

Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?

If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

Yet 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 overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.

Now they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 victory against Harlequins.

Is Ioane the man to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams selected.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their goals, and the players such as South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a SA franchise to go deep into the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest

There were several candidates for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.

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

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