Lyon still salvaged a point against the Sharks.

The opening round produced 71 tries in nine games, 7.9 per match, against 7.5 in last season’s pool stage. Four teams earned the try bonus, now reserved for a side scoring three more tries than its opponent. The old rule would have given out eight.

Pool 1: Bayonne win a thriller

Trailing 22-27 after an hour, Bayonne beat the Cheetahs 29-27 at Jean-Dauger thanks to a try from Herschel Jantjies at the end of a move of almost 100 metres. Facundo Bosch had scored twice. Perpignan lost at the Dragons (29-14), four tries to two, and Ulster took a bonus-point win in Parma against Zebre (21-40), with two tries from Henry Walker.

Pool 2: Castres steady, Lyon beaten

Castres beat Benetton (18-9) without sparkling, with tries from Vilimoni Botitu and Remy Baget, the latter in the 77th minute. Lyon lost to the Sharks (33-40), who scored six tries including two from Litelihle Bester, but take a losing bonus. The Scarlets crushed Newcastle (47-14).

Pool 3: Jaminet carries Toulon

Toulon won in Edinburgh (17-27) thanks to two tries from Melvyn Jaminet. Vannes lost at Harlequins (57-19), who scored nine tries, two each for Marcus Smith, Cadan Murley and Will Evans. Enzo Benmegal scored two of the Bretons’ three tries. The Ospreys won in Georgia against the Black Lion (14-39).

Pool tables after round 1

Pool 1

# Team P W D L Diff Pts
1 Ulster 1 1 0 0 +19 5
2 Dragons 1 1 0 0 +15 4
3 Bayonne 1 1 0 0 +2 4
4 Cheetahs 1 0 0 1 -2 1
5 Perpignan 1 0 0 1 -15 0
6 Zebre 1 0 0 1 -19 0

Pool 2

# Team P W D L Diff Pts
1 Scarlets 1 1 0 0 +33 5
2 Castres 1 1 0 0 +9 4
3 Sharks 1 1 0 0 +7 4
4 Lyon 1 0 0 1 -7 1
5 Benetton 1 0 0 1 -9 0
6 Newcastle 1 0 0 1 -33 0

Pool 3

# Team P W D L Diff Pts
1 Harlequins 1 1 0 0 +38 5
2 Ospreys 1 1 0 0 +25 5
3 Toulon 1 1 0 0 +10 4
4 Edinburgh 1 0 0 1 -10 0
5 Black Lion 1 0 0 1 -25 0
6 Vannes 1 0 0 1 -38 0

Key figures

57-19 Vannes defeat at Harlequins

4 try bonuses, against 8 under the old rule

29-27 Bayonne win over the Cheetahs