In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
The Bulls were left clinging on for victory as they survived a Lyon fightback to begin their maiden Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 42-36 win in Pretoria.
Nine current or former All Blacks and an ex England international have been named in Canterbury's NPC squad for 2022.
The Highlanders have confirmed that eight-test All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman will leave the side for France after the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Former All Blacks star Waisake Naholo is set to make his return to first-class rugby in New Zealand after being named on the bench for Canterbury this weekend.
Former All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo will return to first-class rugby in New Zealand during this year's NPC after being named in Canterbury's 2021 squad.
Paradoxically, being dropped by the All Blacks could kick-start the career of 21-year-old Cullen Grace.
Canterbury are set to again be strong contenders for the Mitre 10 Cup this year after unveiling a 37-man squad on Wednesday that oozes depth and experience.
Canterbury is set to unleash a new crop of the region’s talent, with 14 possible debutants named in the matchday 23 to take on North Otago in their first Ranfurly Shield defence of 2020.
Some of the new recruits at Lyon this season may be a little long in the tooth but make no mistake, the club is building for the long-haul.