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Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the major talking points highlighted by the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's elite division. However, the initial stage featured a number of impressive wins from potential challengers.

Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the final.

Currently sitting sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their chances of defending the title this year. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.

Given a difficult tie at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.

However, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the break.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any outfit with such firepower on the edges stands a good chance against whoever they face.

Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps 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 looking to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.

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

They combine attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their opponents at a distance when they attempted a fightback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the team, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the second round, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a league trophy in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Tough Start

The tournament contains quality outfits 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 the first day might just prove crucial.

The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.

With this result, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.

With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.

And regarding Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

If there's one team you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

However in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have been favourites but delivered little. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was believed that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and suffered a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the last four.

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

Will Ioane prove to secure European glory to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the quarter-finals, and in the last campaign no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several rotated sides selected.

Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their goals, and the caliber of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers look the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Saints and Pau Deliver a Classic Encounter

There were several candidates for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.

Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are presently runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's