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With the opening salvo of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we explore the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent seasons, with the previous five victors all hailing from France's top flight. However, the opening round featured multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Current holders Bordeaux Begles were utterly dominant in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and then Northampton in the final.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, some have suggested about their capacity to retain the feat this year. Yet, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are more than capable of achieving back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a challenging fixture at a hostile venue against a strong Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at the interval.

However, demonstrating their pedigree, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, roaring back to secure a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls scoreless after the break.

France international aces Damian Penaud and World Player of the Year nominee Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any side with that pair on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.

Formidable Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in Europe was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.

The reigning domestic title-holders are leading the way in the league after six games and will be looking to translate that form into continental competition – particularly following a surprise group-stage exit last year.

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

They combine attacking verve – earning the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, holding their visitors at a distance when they looked like mounting a late rally.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad across the squad, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the pools the previous year was in the second round, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a Premiership title in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but their section appears poised to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.

The team from Scotland were two scores behind after 20 minutes but came back strongly, and two tries during the beginning of the second half gave them a precious five points.

With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, dealt a damaging defeat to Sale.

With the French giants – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we can expect many thrilling contests.

And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.

Will Ioane Be the Key Addition of the Leinster Jigsaw?

If there's one team you would expect to be challenging at the later stages of the season in Europe, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

But in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but delivered little. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to secure the title, but they were surprised and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi.

This year they are trying the All Black experiment again, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a try assist on his bow in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.

Will Ioane prove to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since 2018?

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the group stage, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.

Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are first in the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with individuals involved talking about their aspirations, and the players such as 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 have a long run in the competition, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in the opening round but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest

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

Pau have been having a outstanding campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

They are currently runner-up in the Top 14 and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's