Glasses tilted for Guinness and Magners
Back in the groove: Czekaj bags at Arms Park
Britain and Ireland will follow France's lead next weekend as domestic rugby hovers nicely after what's seemed like an age of an off-season. Some will be ready while some may want extra time to prepare - as results on Friday subsequently proved.
There was good news for Sale who wrapped up their pre-season preparations perfectly, cruising to a 39-14 victory over Lyon at Edgeley Park.
The game threw up plenty of talking points on and off the field with Director of Rugby Philippe Saint-Andre pitting his wits against brother Raphael alongside players' positional dilemmas.
In their own camp, the Sharks' battle for their number nine jersey seems to have already begun as Richard Wigglesworth glided through the first forty in Stockport under the watchful eye of new signing Dwayne Peel - a welcome headache for the Frenchman, one may expect.
Back to the game and Sale's tries came through full-back on the night Mathew Tait with two, wing David Doherty, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and a penalty score which all stands them in good stead ahead of their opener against Newcastle next week.
Looking further south and Bath's warm-up conclusion did not go so swimmingly as they went down 8-19 to Edinburgh at a cloudy and humid Recreation Ground.
The European Challenge Cup winners did start the brighter with Joe Maddock showing his pace down the right before handing on to full-back Nick Abendanon to cross before the Scots hit back.
Three penalty goals from the returning Chris Paterson sent them in at half-time 9-8 to the good before second-forty tries from wings Simon Webster and Andrew Turnbull sealed a confidence-boosting success.
Elsewhere, Guinness Premiership new boys Northampton were crushed at Arms Park as a red hot Cardiff Blues side claimed an impressive 43-13 victory ahead of their Magners League bow against Leinster next week.
But it was a purple patch that proved the highlight for the home faithful as four tries in twelve second-half minutes pleased the Welsh eye no end. Two of those scores came through Wales centre Tom Shanklin with Leigh Halfpenny, Gareth Williams, Jamie Roberts, Ceri Sweeney and Chris Czekaj also chipping in.
In High Wycombe, Scarlets fly-half Ceiron Thomas landed a sweet drop-goal deep into injury-time to defeat Guinness Premiership holders Wasps 20-17.
New signing and former Wallaby number-eight David Lyons was in impressive form alongside earlier pivot Stephen Jones as they put away a home side that included internationals Paul Sackey, James Haskell and Eoin Reddan.
However, the win was tainted with bad injury news for the Scarlets as they will be without star centre Regan King (hamstring) and Jon Davies (leg) for the start of the season.
More to follow...