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Following the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.

French dominance has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the past five winners all representing France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage featured several convincing performances from new rivals.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.

Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the title now. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving another trophy with a points-laden win on the road in South Africa.

Given a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the interval.

Yet, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the halftime.

France international machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any competition.

Formidable Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's lone victory in this competition came almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.

The reigning domestic title-holders are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.

They combine attacking verve – securing the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and strength in depth across the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

After winning a league trophy in their history and top domestically again, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Major Blow

There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just be pivotal.

The team from Scotland were trailing by 14 points 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.

By achieving this, they gave their chances of progressing a major lift and, in turn, inflicted a hefty blow to the Sharks.

With Toulouse – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we should be in for many thrilling contests.

And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in recent memory to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

However in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was thought that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.

This year they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who provided a scoring pass on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and last year not a single one was able to progress out of the group stage, with often squads not at full strength fielded.

Could this be the season that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their European campaign with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the first match.

The Stormers appear the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to progress far in the event, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did meet Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Saints and Pau Serve Up a Classic Encounter

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

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

They are right now in second place in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's