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Now that the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we explore the key revelations stemming from the weekend's action.

Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the past five winners all hailing from France's Top 14. But, the first weekend showcased a number of statement victories from potential contenders.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Go Back-to-Back

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were imperious in this tournament the previous campaign, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the grand finale.

Positioned sixth in the French league, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title this year. But, in the first round, Bordeaux sent a message that they are fully equipped of achieving consecutive championships with a high-scoring away victory in South Africa.

Faced with a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the interval.

But, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the interval.

Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any side with that pair on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.

Formidable Bath Seem Poised of A Deep Run

Bath's only triumph in this competition was almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.

The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to transfer that success into continental competition – especially after a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

Johann van Graan's men looked a highly composed and polished team in their 40-14 win over Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.

They combine offensive flair – earning the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with tough tackling, keeping their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer pulling the strings and a deep squad throughout the roster, they are surely serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.

Bath's pivotal moment in the initial phase a year ago came in the second round, an heartbreaking 22-21 setback at Benetton with a rotated team.

Having secured a league trophy under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan may feel able to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this year.

Glasgow Deal Sale a Significant Setback

You will find strong teams throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.

In the existing pool system, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.

The Glasgow Warriors 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 all-important five points.

With this result, they provided their chances of progressing a positive start and, conversely, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.

With the red and blacks – commanding 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, in the same section, we are likely to see many thrilling contests.

And what of Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They delivered one of their best European performances in recent memory to stun former champions Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

Should you pick one side you would fancy to be challenging at the business end of the continental campaign, it would be European giants Leinster.

Yet in recent seasons it has not worked out, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked the team to beat the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 rout of Harlequins in the last 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 key player to win the championship, but they were ambushed and suffered a surprise defeat to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

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

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

Stormers Appear Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the best performance by any of them is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them succeeded in getting out of the pool phase, with plenty of squads not at full strength used.

Is this the year 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 words from players and coaches were encouraging too, with individuals involved speaking of their ambition, and the likes of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the round-one win.

The Stormers look the best bet for a SA franchise to have a long run in the event, yet do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.

Northampton and Pau Produce a Classic Encounter

There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was among the best.

Pau have been experiencing a outstanding campaign, guided by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.

They are right now in second place in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's