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Following the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations emerging from the games.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the opening round included multiple convincing performances from potential challengers.

Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in this tournament a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.

Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.

However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.

Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run

Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to win it again.

The current English champions are top of the pile domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

Johann van Graan's team looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the URC.

They marry offensive flair – sealing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they looked like mounting a late rally.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad across the roster, they are surely credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the group stage a year ago was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

Now with a Premiership title in their history and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan might decide to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow

There are strong teams throughout the draw, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.

The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

With this result, they handed their chances of progressing a major lift and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to their opponents.

With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we can expect many thrilling contests.

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

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat last season after backing up 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 All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to take them over the line, but they were caught out and experienced a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

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

Is Ioane the man to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength selected.

Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with the squad and staff expressing their aspirations, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the tournament, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated this weekend but did play formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match

There were multiple possibilities for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.

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

They are right now second in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's