It was the French who caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home.
After two tough years at the helm, the former scrum-half can see brighter times ahead for Scarlets.
Exeter have confirmed that their team for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final at home to the Stormers contains just one change from last weekend’s round-of-16 elimination XV of Montpellier.
Sifting through the drama and injuries to find the top performers at each position, here is a team of the tournament, which features eight All Blacks, three Springboks, three Pumas and one Wallaby.
The battle between Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga never really took off for the All Blacks - and it's come back to bite them.
Budgets, players to watch, arrivals and departures - and an overview of each club at the start of the new season. Welcome to the Rugby Pass club-by-club Top 14 season preview
France coach Guy Noves caused a stir on Thursday when naming a new and young halfback pairing.
Mathieu Bastareaud has not been seen in a France shirt since the World Cup, but will be up against the world champions this weekend.
France coach Guy Noves has welcomed Mathieu Bastareaud back into the national team after two years out of the side.