Some of the new recruits at Lyon this season may be a little long in the tooth but make no mistake, the club is building for the long-haul.
The 2020/21 Clermont squad looks stronger, more balanced and has a back line to terrify even the most organised of defences.
Six months after it was confirmed he would switch from Top League to Top 14, Japan winger Kotaro Matsushima has arrived in Clermont for new French season.
Last capped in June 2018, France winger Remy Grosso earned his stripes in the professional ranks at Lyon, spending five seasons there from 2008 to 2013.
French pro rugby clubs have 'put an absolute brake' on recruitment and are seriously rethinking their finances
Perennial contenders for domestic and European trophies, how does the Clermont XV shape up for the 2019/20 season? Are they again in the mix for titles?
The Top 14's leading two both won on Sunday, but it was Toulouse's bonus-point success that grabbed the attention.
Clermont had not been beaten since October, but they were brought back down to earth by Top 14 champions Castres.
Top 14 leaders Clermont Auvergne put some daylight between themselves and second-place Stade Francais on Saturday.
Greig Laidlaw kept his cool to maintain Clermont Auvergne's perfect start to the new Top 14 season.