Leinster remain Ireland’s leading light and will be among the biggest threats to Bordeaux-Begles’ ambitions of a third title in a row.
Last season’s beaten finalists, though, have a recent reminder of just how hard it will be to derail the reigning champions, having been torn apart 41-19 in May’s decider.
Arguably, Leo Cullen’s side enter this campaign with a weaker squad than in recent seasons with the likes of James Lowe, Rieko Ioane, Rabah Slimani and Ciaran Frawley among the key departures over the summer.
Only the latter was replaced in kind through the return of Joey Carbery, although the returning 30-year-old is yet to feature in his second stint because of injury.
The side have won an incredible 31 consecutive games in the Champions Cup pool stage, and can expect to extend that run this season, but know they will be judged only by what they do in the sharp end of a competition they have not won since 2018.
If Cullen’s final season at the helm is to end with a long-sought fifth star, it will take some titanic performances in the knock-out stage.
Pool fixtures: Clermont (A), Sale (H), Pau (H), Leicester Tigers (A)