For the first time there were players from South African teams at the launch and they were quick to stress how pleased they are to be joining clubs from England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the battle for the prestigious trophy.

Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls will be lining up against Harlequins, ASM Clermont Auvergne and Lyon respectively on the opening weekend of December 9-11, before taking on Union Bordeaux-Bêgles, London Irish and Exeter Chiefs in Round 2.

Cell C Sharks wing Yaw Penxe said: “Obviously, we're going to be playing at some world-class stadiums. It’s a big competition as well, so we're going to be coming across different people and different cultures. It’s just exciting as a whole.”

Then there are the likes of Handré Pollard, a South African who has already experienced EPCR competition as an EPCR Challenge Cup winner with Montpellier Hérault Rugby in 2021, but who is now contracted to Heineken Champions Cup Pool B side Leicester Tigers.

He commented: “Well, it's the greatest club competition. Everybody wants to be a part of it; I know a lot of guys that are playing in Europe just to be a part of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.”

The feeling is mutual, with George Ford, Sale Sharks’ experienced England fly-half, emphasising how welcome the South Africans’ inclusion is.

He said: “They will add a different dimension to the tournament. We’re obviously used to playing against the Welsh, Irish, French and Scottish teams, so they will add a little bit of something different.”

Obviously, Scottish, Welsh and Irish teams are already used to facing the three South African sides in the United Rugby Championship (URC), so Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake was well qualified to explain what they will add to the Heineken Champions Cup.

“They showed what they can do in the URC, with Stormers winning it last year, so it’ll be good to see what they can do in their first term [in the Heineken Champions Cup],” he said.

“Us URC boys always like to play against them, but I think they'll be a new challenge for the Prem boys and obviously the French teams will be coming up against that new force too.”

It all gets underway on December 9, with Montpellier visiting London Irish in front of the BT Sport, beIN SPORTS, Super Sport and FloRugby cameras. Kick-off is 8pm local time.

With Tuesday’s launch of the Heineken Champions Cup in London, the beginning of the best EPCR competition ever drew closer and representatives from all 24 teams underlined how eager they are to get started next month.