Lyon, who will play in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, ended an 89-year trophy drought to win the 2022 Challenge Cup.

They seem outsiders in the race for France’s top-flight title, but new manager Xavier Garbajosa will be hopeful of pushing for a play-off spot.

They have added former New Zealand Under 20 international Josiah Maraku and ex-Connacht Rugby player Kyle Godwin to strengthen their centre department. But they have lost Pierre-Louis Barassi to Stade Toulousain and Charlie Ngatai to Leinster Rugby.

Brive, who will face Connacht and Cardiff Rugby in the EPCR Challenge Cup pool stages, have been hit by injuries in their TOP 14 build-up. However, their new recruits include Springbok prop Marcel van der Merwe and flanker Julien Delannoy.

Section Paloise host USAP and RC Toulon entertain Bayonne in two all-EPCR Challenge Cup contests.

Pau’s signings include flanker Sacha Zegueur, but fly half Antoine Hastoy has joined Stade Rochelais. USAP have lost mainstays Bautista Delguy, Melvyn Jaminet and Damien Chouly, but their recruits include France flanker Kelian Galletier.

Three-time Heineken Champions Cup winners Toulon are a popular tip to shine domestically and in Europe this season. They are likely to be among the EPCR Challenge Cup favourites, and are boosted by Fijian wing Waisea Nayacalevu and former La Rochelle fly half Ihaia West.

Last season’s Pro D2 champions Bayonne will look to incoming French international duo Maxime Machenaud and Camille Lopez to boost their survival hopes.

Stade Francais, who host ASM Clermont Auvergne, complete the EPCR Challenge Cup sides in action. Having recruited experienced French international scrum half Morgan Parra, Stade will hope his on-field leadership galvanises their expensive squad.

EPCR Challenge Cup holders Lyon kick off their TOP 14 campaign tomorrow with a trip to former European champions CA Brive.