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With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations stemming from the games.

Gallic supremacy has ruled the roost in recent years, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased several impressive wins from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in the competition the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the showpiece.

Lying sixth in the French league, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this season. However, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a high-scoring win on the road in South Africa.

Given a challenging fixture 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 the interval.

However, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, fighting back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls to zero after the interval.

France international phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with those two on the flanks has a chance against any opponent.

Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's only triumph in this competition came almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.

The defending English Premiership champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination the previous season.

Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.

They blend attacking verve – securing the bonus point inside 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their opponents at bay when they threatened a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as genuine challengers for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's key result in the pools the previous year was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.

After winning a Premiership title under their belt and top the home league, Van Graan may feel able to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

You will find quality outfits everywhere you look, but Pool One appears poised to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about securing home wins, 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 fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a all-important five points.

With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.

And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in recent memory to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?

When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

But in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were ambushed and experienced a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the last four.

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

Could Ioane be the player to secure European glory to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Look Equipped to Compete

From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and the previous season none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with several weakened teams fielded.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.

The words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their aspirations, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.

The Stormers seem the most likely contender for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, yet write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Memorable Match

There were several candidates for best fixture, and that clash was among the best.

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

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