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With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the major talking points stemming from the games.

French dominance has defined the competition in recent years, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. But, the initial stage included a number of statement victories from emerging rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

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

Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their chances of defending the feat now. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of securing back-to-back titles with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a powerful Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.

However, true to their champion status, they displayed their class in the second period, fighting back to secure a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the interval.

France international aces Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any opponent.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in Europe dates back almost 30 years 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 in the league after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.

They marry creative spark – securing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at bay when they attempted a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and quality reserves throughout the squad, they have to be considered genuine challengers for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase the previous year came in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

Now with a league trophy to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the existing pool system, 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 prove crucial.

The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important maximum haul.

With this result, they provided their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.

With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Quest?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after following up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

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

Stormers Seem Prepared to Challenge

From the moment the SA franchises became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.

Could this be the season that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the round-one win.

The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match

There were a few contenders for best fixture, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been having a outstanding season, spearheaded by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are presently second in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's