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Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we explore the key revelations highlighted by the weekend's action.

French dominance has ruled the roost in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. Yet, the opening round showcased several convincing performances from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the final.

Lying sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the accomplishment this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side featuring stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at half-time.

Yet, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the second half, storming back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.

Les Bleus stars aces 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 opponent.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title

Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup came almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been more prepared to add a second star.

The defending English Premiership champions are top of the pile at home after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.

Johann van Graan's team looked a highly composed and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.

They blend attacking verve – earning the try-scoring point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at arm's length when they attempted a late rally.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the team, they are surely credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the following week, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.

Now with a league trophy to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Significant Setback

There are quality outfits throughout the draw, but their section looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the tournament's current format, 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 trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries during the beginning of the second period gave them a valuable maximum haul.

By achieving this, they provided their prospects of qualification a major lift and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to their opponents.

With the French giants – commanding 56-19 conquerors of the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we are likely to see high-stakes drama.

And what of Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for the Scottish game.

Is Ioane the Key Addition of the Leinster Puzzle?

If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

However in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked heavy favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.

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

Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Since the South African sides entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with often squads not at full strength used.

Will this be the campaign that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.

The reactions after the game were positive too, with players and coaches expressing their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.

The Stormers appear the most likely contender for a team from South Africa 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 Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Deliver a Classic Encounter

There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.

Pau have been enjoying a outstanding campaign, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back 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