One week into the 2021/22 Premiership season and it's as though Saracens had never left, with Mark McCall's men back in victory lane at the first time of asking in their return to the top flight.
The five-time champions lifted the curtain on a new campaign by beating Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on Friday in a performance worthy of backing up their status as title favourites.
That pair produced just the one try in 80 minutes, but the scores fortunately flowed elsewhere in the Premiership as Leicester Tigers crossed over five times in a 34-19 win over Exeter Chiefs.
Defending champions Harlequins came up with four tries of their own in a 26-20 win away to Newcastle on Sunday, while Northampton Saints, Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks each managed to triumph at home.
Danny Cipriani was unable to help Bath beat the latter in his first official outing for the club, and Mirror Sport dissects that and other major talking points as England's elite got back to business...
Saracens hardly toothless without Lions
It won't be remembered as the most glamorous of comebacks, but don't be mistaken; Saracens are not here for your entertainment.
A return Premiership title is the club's major priority between now and June, and after outmanoeuvring Bristol on opening night, many will feel all the more confident they're capable of a bounce-back title.
Both teams had players absent due to stand-down protocols following the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa. However, Sarries had the more notable names missing, with the group of Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Jamie George and Mako Vunipola not returning until October.
And yet they whirred like the well-oiled machine we all know them to be, with Alex Lozowski looking particularly impressive as Farrell's deputy, scoring 21 points off the tee and assisting Alex Lewington's sole try.
Quins cross Week 1 hurdle in title defence
The first test can often prove the trickiest when launching a title defence, particularly when said championship came quite as unexpectedly as Harlequins' did earlier this year.
Shot-caller Marcus Smith is still yet to return following his involvement with the Lions, not to mention the club is still getting to grips with the methods of new coach Tabai Matson.
Few signs of rust were evident en route to victory victory at Newcastle, however, a relief for those at The Stoop who know just how difficult the quest for back-to-back crowns will prove.
Louis Lynagh picked up where he left off last term and dazzled with two tries at Kingston Park, while summer arrival Tommaso Allan also had a successful debut serving as Smith's stand-in.
Honesty's always the best policy
His Exeter Chiefs team-mates may not have thanked him for it, but lock Sean Lonsdale demonstrated considerable sportsmanship on Saturday when he voluntarily denied himself a try.
The 24-year-old barged under the posts late on as Exeter looked to overturn the deficit at Welford Road, but referee Ian Tempest would require aid from the television match official in order to award the try.
Instead, he went straight to the source and asked Lonsdale if a check was needed, to which the second row replied that he was indeed held up, signalling a goal-line drop-out for Leicester.
Much has been made of rugby's TMO deliberations and the amount of time used by officials to make decisions, the solution to which may have been the players all along.
Cipriani is back...but Bailey is the future
Some nine months after cutting ties with Gloucester, Cipriani was back on a Premiership pitch after starting for Bath at Sale on Saturday, though it wasn't the comeback he hoped for.
The 33-year-old converted two of his three penalty attempts before a thunderous hit from Rohan Janse van Rensburg forced him off the field early in the second period.
Enter fly-half understudy Orlando Bailey, the 21-year-old Bath academy graduate who's causing waves at The Rec, and rightfully so after taking his first senior steps for the club last season.
Having a mentor like Cipriani certainly won't harm the England under-20 international's development, and Bailey was unfortunate to just fall short with his attempt at landing the winning penalty late on against Sale.
Big things in store for Dolly
While we're on the topic of Premiership prospects with bright futures, Nic Dolly's two-try performance on his full debut for Leicester rightly turned heads at Welford Road and beyond.
After impressing Steve Borthwick in pre-season, Dolly earned his place in the starting line-up ahead of Tom Cowan-Dickie and Tom Youngs, rewarding his coach with a decisive brace against big opposition.
The 22-year-old Australia native signed from Coventry towards the end of last season and made several cameos for the Tigers, but this was his first Premiership start for the club.
England coach Eddie Jones may be wise to keep tabs on the Sydney-born starlet ahead of the autumn internationals, with Dolly's stock looking set to rise considerably this season.
2021/22 Premiership Week 1 Results
Bristol Bears 9-26 Saracens
Leicester Tigers 34-19 Exeter Chiefs
Northampton Saints 34-20 Gloucester
Worcester Warriors 36-24 London Irish
Sale Sharks 20-19 Bath
Newcastle Falcons 20-26 Harlequins
