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Now that the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the major talking points emerging from the games.

Top 14 superiority has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all representing France's elite division. Yet, the initial stage included a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Lying sixth in the domestic standings, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are fully equipped of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.

Yet, as champions do, they displayed their class in the second half, storming back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.

French try-scoring phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with that pair on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.

Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title

Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have perhaps not been more prepared to add a second star.

The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace at home after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

Johann van Graan's men looked a very complete and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the URC.

They combine creative spark – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, holding their opponents at arm's length when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the team, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the pools the previous year came in the second round, an narrow 22-21 setback at Benetton with a squad players.

Now with a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Tough Start

There are powerful sides in every pool, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the tightest.

In the existing pool system, a lot is emphasized regarding winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.

The team from Scotland were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a all-important five points.

By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to their opponents.

With the French giants – dominant 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They produced one of their best European performances in years to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for Scottish rugby.

Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be in the mix at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after following up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This season they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

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

Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up

From the moment the SA franchises entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of weakened teams used.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on Friday.

The reactions after the game were promising too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the caliber of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a South African side to have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton 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 experiencing a brilliant campaign, guided 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