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Union Bordeaux-Begles (UBB) will begin the season with pressure on them to add another trophy after they claimed the Investec Champions Cup last season, but how realistic is it to expect them to be among the winners again?
The French outfit defeated Northampton Saints 28-20 in Cardiff in May, their first major trophy of the professional era.
They also reached the Top 14 Final but lost 39-36 to Toulouse in an absorbing match that went into extra-time after UBB scrumhalf Maxime Lucu slotted a last-minute penalty.
Over the summer they have added French second row Cameron Woki, French hooker Gaëtan Barlo, South African back rower Jean-Luc du Preez and Italy scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo to their ranks, but lost Argentina second row Guido Petti to Harlequins.
“It pushes us to hope to win another trophy, whether it's the European Cup or the Top 14,” centre Nicolas Depoortère said. “Frankly, this star (for winning a Champions Cup) pushes us to aim higher.
BACKLINE OF THE GODS
“We'll try to win more trophies; that's what makes us dream in this sport.”
Bordeaux-Begles illuminated the Champions Cup and Top 14 last season with rugby that mixed fierce forward play with dazzling backline attacking.
With the likes of Damien Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey causing mayhem on the wings, Lucu and Mathieu Jalibert controlling proceedings at halfback, and Yoram Moefana partnering Depoortère in an all international centre duo, expectations are likely to be higher this season.
All their rivals have improved their squads though.
Toulouse who lost their Champions Cup crown when they UBB defeated them in the semifinals have strengthened by bringing in wing Teddy Thomas, and prop Georges-Henri Colombe. They will also welcome back Antoine Dupont from injury.
ADDING DEPTH
La Rochelle, 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup winners, have added France scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec and Georgian flyer Davit Niniashvili, while Toulon welcome number 8 Zach Mercer, Argentina flyhalf Tomas Albornoz, and Italy centre Juan Ignacio Brex to their ranks.
In Europe, Bath and Leinster will start the season with confidence renewed after ending long waits for the Gallagher Prem and United Rugby Championship (URC) titles.
Bordeaux-Begles will have the chance to lay down an early marker when they face La Rochelle, at home on 6 September when the Top 14 season opens.
In the Champions Cup, they host Scarlets and Northampton Saints and go on the road to face the Blue Bulls and Bristol Bears.
BACK IN ACTION
UBB recently returned from a training camp in Portugal, and they showed that they are building for the match against La Rochelle by running in five tries in a 28-14 win over Soyaux-Angoulême.
The 22-year-old Depoortère captained the team for the first time, and it featured multiple players who made their debuts. All positive signs with the new season less than a fortnight away.
“We saw a lot of new players on the pitch, both rookies and hopefuls,” Depoortère said. “In these conditions, things can be complicated while the game plan sinks in. The preseason went by very quickly, but honestly, I think we played a good match despite everything.
“I felt good personally, and it's always good to play rugby. It's our art, it's our job, we love it. Our defence was good tonight in Angoulême. Despite conceding two tries, we responded well.”