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With the initial matches of the new season's Champions Cup in the books, we examine the primary lessons emerging from the games.

French dominance has ruled the roost in recent years, with the previous five victors all calling home France's elite division. However, the initial stage showcased multiple convincing performances from emerging challengers.

Bordeaux Seem Ready to Defend Their Title

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

Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, questions have been asked about their capacity to retain the title now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of achieving consecutive championships with a free-flowing triumph on foreign soil in South Africa.

Handed a tough assignment at a hostile venue against a powerful Bulls side boasting internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they went into the break down 33-22 at the break.

But, true to their champion status, they showed their quality in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – holding the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.

France international machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with that pair on the wings is a threat against any competition.

Powerful Bath Appear Equipped of A Deep Run

Bath's only triumph in this competition dates back almost 30 years ago. Throughout the ensuing period, they have probably never been better equipped to win it again.

The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be looking to carry that momentum into Europe – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit the previous season.

Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.

They blend offensive flair – securing the extra point within 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, restraining their guests at bay when they attempted a late rally.

With players including Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and strength in depth throughout the roster, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a continental title since 1998.

Bath's defining match in the group stage last season was in the next fixture, an heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.

Now with a league trophy to their name and top in England once more, Van Graan might decide to concentrate more effort on the Champions Cup now.

Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start

There are quality outfits in every pool, but their section looks set to be one of the tightest.

In the tournament's current format, a lot is made about victories on your own turf, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.

The Scottish side were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important maximum haul.

By achieving this, they gave their hopes of advancing a positive start and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to the Sharks.

With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.

And as for Glasgow's traditional foes Edinburgh? They turned in one of their top continental showings in a long time to surprise heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a fine weekend for rugby in Scotland.

Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?

When considering a contender you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.

Yet in recent campaigns it has not worked out, as they have shown great potential but not won the trophy. Beaten finalists 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 demolition over Glasgow in the quarter-final.

It was thought that Kiwi international Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to win the championship, but they were surprised and experienced 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 claimed a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 success against Harlequins.

Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?

Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge

Since the South African sides joined 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 plenty of weakened teams selected.

Will this be the campaign that changes? The Stormers are leading the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 victory on the road at Bayonne on the opening night.

The reactions after the game were positive too, with individuals involved expressing their ambition, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.

The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to have a long run in the event, but write off the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost this weekend but did face formidable opponents respectively.

The English and French Sides Serve Up a Thrilling Contest

There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was a leading candidate.

Pau have been experiencing a outstanding season, spearheaded by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.

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