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Following the initial matches of the latest Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons stemming from the weekend's action.

French dominance has been the narrative in recent years, with the previous five victors all representing France's top flight. Yet, the first weekend featured multiple convincing performances from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Appear Primed to Go Back-to-Back

Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were imperious in Europe a year ago, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.

Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. However, in round one, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving another trophy with a points-laden triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Faced with a difficult tie at the Bulls' fortress against a strong Bulls side featuring internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

However, true to their champion status, they unleashed their power in the second period, storming back to seal a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls to zero after the break.

Les Bleus stars machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the edges has a chance against any competition.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of Going the Distance

Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. In the years since, they have perhaps not been better equipped to secure another title.

The current English champions are setting the pace in the league after six games and will be hoping to transfer that success into the Champions Cup – on the back of a unexpected elimination the previous season.

Johann van Graan's side looked a very complete and balanced unit in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.

They marry creative spark – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, holding their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and quality reserves throughout the team, they must be viewed as credible threats for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's key result in the initial phase a year ago occurred in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a domestic championship in their history and leading the home league, Van Graan may feel able to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow

There are powerful sides everywhere you look, but their section looks set to be one of the most competitive.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about 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 half gave them a valuable maximum haul.

In doing so, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, conversely, handed a significant setback to the Sharks.

With the French giants – dominant 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, in the same section, we can expect plenty of fireworks.

And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their finest displays in Europe in years to shock three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Jigsaw?

Should you pick one side you would predict to be in the mix at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Runners-up three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat a year ago after building on a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were ambushed and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi.

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

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

Stormers Appear Ready to Step Up

Ever since the teams from South Africa entered the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the quarter-finals, and the previous season no South African side managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.

Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are leading the URC and started their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with players and coaches expressing their ambition, and the players such as stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.

The Stormers look the strongest candidate for a team from South Africa to go deep into the competition, although do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did meet formidable opponents respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter

There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and the Northampton vs. Pau game was right up there.

Pau have been experiencing a brilliant campaign, led by Argentine internationals Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back 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