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Now that the first round of the latest Champions Cup wrapped up, we delve into the key revelations stemming from the games.

Gallic supremacy has been the narrative in recent years, with the last five champions all hailing from France's Top 14. Yet, the opening round featured a number of convincing performances from potential rivals.

Bordeaux Look Set to Go Back-to-Back

Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the semi-final and then Northampton in the final.

Positioned sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their capacity to retain the title now. However, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing consecutive championships with a free-flowing away victory in South Africa.

Handed a difficult tie at a hostile venue against a formidable Bulls side boasting stars like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at half-time.

Yet, demonstrating their pedigree, they displayed their class in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls to zero after the break.

French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any outfit with that pair on the wings has a chance against any opponent.

Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Challenging for the Title

Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost three decades ago. Since that time, they have probably never been more strongly positioned to secure another title.

The current English champions are top of the pile in the league after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into the Champions Cup – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit in the last campaign.

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 URC.

They marry creative spark – sealing the bonus point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, keeping their visitors at bay when they looked like mounting a dramatic comeback.

With stars such as Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the team, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the initial phase the previous year was in the following week, an agonising 22-21 loss at Benetton with a squad players.

Having secured a Premiership title to their name and leading in England once more, Van Graan could be inclined to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup this season.

Glasgow Give Sale a Major Blow

There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section seems destined to be one of the most competitive.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the opening night might just prove crucial.

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 period gave them a valuable maximum haul.

In doing so, they handed their prospects of qualification a significant early boost and, conversely, inflicted a significant setback to Sale.

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

And what of Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They delivered one of their top continental showings in recent memory to surprise three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Could Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Jigsaw?

Should you pick one side you would fancy to be in the mix at the sharp end of the Champions Cup, it would be multiple champions Leinster.

However in recent seasons it has ended in disappointment, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites last season after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the last 16 with a 52-0 win over Glasgow in the last eight.

It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and endured a shock loss to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.

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

Is Ioane the man to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Appear Equipped to Compete

Ever since the teams from South Africa became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the furthest any of their teams have got is the last eight, and in the last campaign none of them was able to progress out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength used.

Is this the year that is different? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their European campaign with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on the opening night.

The post-match comments were encouraging too, with the squad and staff talking about their ambition, 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 SA franchise to go deep into the event, although don't count out the Sharks and Bulls, who were defeated in their first games but did play the French powerhouses respectively.

Saints and Pau Produce a Thrilling Contest

There were a few contenders for match of the round, and this one was among the best.

Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

They are presently runner-up in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's