When Bristol Bears won the Challenge Cup for the first time last season no fewer than 21 of squad from the final picked up a winner’s medal for the first time, making it exactly 500 players from 17 nations who have now won the title having been selected in the matchday 23 for the showpiece match.

Leicester Tigers are aiming to become the fifth club in the history of European competition to win both the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup. Premiership clubs, Bath Rugby, Northampton Saints and Wasps, have won the two trophies while Leinster Rugby have also completed the coveted double.