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With the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's Top 14. Yet, the initial stage included multiple convincing performances from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Retain Their Crown

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament a year ago, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and afterwards Northampton in the showpiece.

Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning back-to-back titles with a high-scoring triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a tough assignment at Loftus Versfeld against a formidable Bulls side including stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

But, as champions do, they unleashed their power in the final 40 minutes, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey each crossed the try-line. Any team with such firepower on the wings is a threat against any competition.

Impressive Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run

Bath's sole success in this competition was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been better equipped to win it again.

The current English champions 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 balanced unit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are third in the United Rugby Championship.

They blend offensive flair – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, restraining their guests at a distance when they attempted a fightback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad across the team, they are surely serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's key result in the group stage a year ago came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a rotated team.

Now with a domestic championship to their name and setting the pace domestically again, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Significant Setback

There are powerful sides in every pool, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's triumph at an opponent's ground at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.

The Scottish side were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries at the start of the second period gave them a precious maximum haul.

In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a positive start and, by contrast, dealt a hefty blow to Sale.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, sharing the group, we should be in for high-stakes drama.

And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in years to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Will Ioane Be the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

If there's one team you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the season in Europe, it would be European giants Leinster.

But in the last few years it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after following up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to take them over the line, but they were caught out and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.

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

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

Stormers Look Ready to Step Up

Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and last year no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several rotated sides fielded.

Will this be the campaign that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were encouraging too, with individuals involved expressing their aspirations, and the players such as Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the round-one win.

The Stormers appear the best bet for a South African side to go deep into the competition, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did meet the French powerhouses respectively.

Northampton and Pau Deliver a Memorable Match

There were a few contenders for best fixture, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was among the best.

Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are right now runner-up in the French league and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's