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With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's top flight. But, the first weekend showcased a number of convincing performances from potential challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.

Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Handed a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

However, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls without a point after the break.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with those two on the wings stands a good chance against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost three decades ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to secure another title.

The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.

Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.

They blend attacking verve – sealing the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

Now with 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 season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start

There are strong teams everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the competition's present structure, 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 be pivotal.

The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.

With this result, they provided their prospects of qualification a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a hefty blow to their opponents.

With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect high-stakes drama.

And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

If there's one team you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after building on a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were surprised and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and the previous season none of them managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of rotated sides selected.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.

The Stormers seem the strongest candidate for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match

There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.

Pau have been having a brilliant season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are presently second in the French league and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's