After a decade of decline, Toulouse are on the brink of a new era of European domination.
For all France's development, they will not win the next World Cup without a top-class goal-kicker.
After a decade of turmoil, things are finally looking up for Les Bleus.
The Scotland scrum-half has moved from Edinburgh to Scarlets to Harlequins to Racing and on to Lyon in recent years but he has now secured a two-year Premiership deal.
The 17-times Scottish international has been having a transient time since leaving Edinburgh in summer 2018 with stints in Wales and England followed by a switch to France.
As the 20 clubs at European rugby's top table gear up for the opening round of this season's Champions Cup, RugbyPass checks out which players are likely to hit the ground running - and who'll be absent from French club ranks.
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
Toulouse were tested by 14-man Lyon on Thursday as Wandile Mjekevu's two tries inspired a first win in their European Challenge Cup pool.
Toulouse have been unable to tie Les Bleus duo into signing new contracts with the club.
Toulouse surged into a 10-point lead against Toulon but ended up having to settle for a losing bonus point at Stade Mayol.