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Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the major talking points emerging from the fixtures.

French dominance has ruled the roost in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased a number of impressive wins from new challengers.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.

French try-scoring aces Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with that pair on the edges is a threat against any competition.

Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's lone victory in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.

The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.

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

They combine offensive flair – securing the extra point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their opponents at bay when they looked like mounting a fightback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth all over the roster, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the pools last season occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a changed side.

After winning a Premiership title under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Major Blow

The tournament contains quality outfits everywhere you look, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, 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 Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to their opponents.

With the French giants – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.

And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their top continental showings in years to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Will Ioane Be the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

Yet in recent seasons 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 overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win 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 caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a try assist on his bow 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 Appear Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and in the last campaign no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of weakened teams fielded.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.

The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the event, although 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 that clash was right up there.

Pau have been having a brilliant campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

They are right now second in the French championship and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's