Holders Exeter Chiefs kicked off their campaign in impressive fashion as they swept aside Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park in a 42-0 victory.

EPCR European Player of the Year Sam Simmonds grabbed a try for the Chiefs, as did Stuart Hogg, while Joe Simmonds was as consistent as ever from the tee.

Beaten finalists Racing 92 also got off to a winning start with an entertaining 26-22 triumph over Connacht in Paris.

Georges-Henri Colombe, Kurtley Beale, Donovan Taofifenua and Dominic Bird all scored tries for the home side.

Reigning European Rugby Challenge Cup winners Bristol Bears ran in five tries against ASM Clermont Auvergne but were soundly beaten as Kotaro Matsushima grabbed a hat-trick in a sensational 51-38 win for the Top 14 side.

RC Toulon and La Rochelle were also victorious, over Sale Sharks and Edinburgh respectively, as seven French teams picked up wins in Round 1.

Lyon were the round’s biggest winners as they scored eight tries in a 55-10 demolition of Gloucester.

In Round 2 Exeter travel to Toulouse in what is set to be monumental showdown between the current holders and four-time winners.

Racing 92 meanwhile face off against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop, while Bristol have the chance to bounce back against Connacht in Galway.

Scarlets kickstart the round on Friday evening with their clash against RC Toulon, followed by Wasps against Montpellier.

Clermont go up against Munster at the Stade Marcel-Michelin on Saturday in a mouth-watering contest.

Both of last season’s finalists picked up wins in the opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup this weekend.