Europe was back with a bang last weekend and it was something of a banner round for Guinness PRO14 sides.

Zebre were the only team who lost to a non-PRO14 outfit – going down to Bristol Rugby in the Challenge Cup – as the league demonstrated its dominance over its competitors.

Sorry Premiership Rugby and the Top 14!

But enough looking back, it’s time to look forward and here are five questions were keen to see answers for in Round 2.

Will Irish eyes smile once more?

Four Champions Cup games for the Irish provinces in Round 1 and four wins – job done.

Those victories ranged from the convincing (Munster teaching Ospreys a lesson at the Liberty and Leinster rolling past Benetton at the RDS) to the nervy – Ulster needing a last-second moment of defensive brilliance from Jacob Stockdale to preserve a 17-16 win at Bath and Connacht edging past Montpellier in Galway.

But most importantly, all four provinces head into Round 2 with at least four points under their belts. Now the question is – can they repeat the trick?

Statistics and history suggest not but Ulster lead the charge when they welcome Clermont Auvergne to the Kingspan Stadium on Friday night before Connacht and Leinster head to France – taking on Toulouse and Lyon respectively – on Saturday afternoon.

In the early-evening Saturday slot, Munster host former star Simon Zebo and his Racing 92 side that cashed in on Saracens’ recent financial woes with a big victory in Round 1.

If every team from the Emerald Isle still has a 100 per cent record come Saturday evening, then that really will be something special.

Can the Italians find some joy?

On the opposite end of the spectrum from the Irish sides were Zebre and Benetton – who both fell to defeat in Round 1.

Benetton’s return to the Champions Cup was a painful one thanks to a familiar rival, as Leinster triumphed 33-19, while Zebre were rolled over 59-21 by Bristol Bears in the second-tier competition.

Back in the more comfortable surroundings of Treviso, Kieran Crowley’s men welcome an up-and-down Northampton Saints side with real ambitions of notching a first Champions Cup win since the 2014-15 campaign.

Jayden Hayward impressed back in the No.15 jersey against Leinster after his World Cup exploits in the centres for Italy and will be a key contributor if they are to find success at the Stadio Monigo.

Meanwhile, Zebre host former European heavyweights, but current Top 14 strugglers, Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup and will hope for a far better showing then they produced at Bristol in Round 1.

Are the Dragons for real?

Two wins already in the Guinness PRO14 this season, just three fewer than they managed all of last term, and now an opening-round bonus-point win over Castres in Europe – the Dean Ryan revolution is in full swing at the Dragons.

The next step on their journey is the long trip to Krasnodar to face Enisei-STM – a team that Dragons fans won’t need reminding shockingly beat them 38-18 back in October 2016.

That stunning result clearly stung the Welsh region but if they can go to Russia and emerge with another five points on Friday they’ll be a step closer to knockout European rugby for the first time in four years.

Back-rower Taine Basham was immense as he ran in a blistering first-half hat-trick in the 31-17 victory over Castres and if the Dragons want to prove they really have turned a corner after the struggles of recent seasons then a big win in Russia will certainly help.

Hat-trick hero @TaineBash07 read this like a book 📔@dragonsrugby powered past @CastresRugby on Saturday, can they continue the momentum against @Enisei_STM? 🐲 pic.twitter.com/dWVcYjCnNv
— Challenge Cup (@ERChallengeCup) November 18, 2019

Will the Warriors empty the tank?

Glasgow Warriors were dominant against Sale Sharks in their European opener at Scotstoun – completely controlling the breakdown, collision and set-pieces – yet only led 13-7 heading into the closing stages.

Sharks then camped in the home 22 at the death as they looked to snatch a win that would have been the biggest highway robbery since Dick Turpin was roaming the streets.

But Glasgow held on for a much-needed win, although face a daunting trip to England’s West Country, where Exeter Chiefs lie in wait and an old friend could be playing full-back for Exeter – Stuart Hogg.

Despite the nervy finale in Round 1, Glasgow coach Dave Rennie is adamant they’re close to playing their very best rugby, so will that come as a ‘here’s what you’re missing’ message to Hogg?

“We’re always striving to be the best we can be and we’ve got more in the tank,” said Rennie after the win. “We’re not far off. The last couple of games we’ve played really well.”

Can the Ospreys find their groove?

The feel-good factor of beating Cardiff Blues at Judgement Day VII to reach the Champions Cup play-off and then downing Scarlets in that winner-take-all match to secure top-tier European rugby must already feel like a lifetime ago for Ospreys fans.

A slow start to the domestic season has seen Allen Clarke’s men record just one win from six games so far before being blitzed 32-13 by Munster in Round 1 last weekend.

A trip to reigning European champions Saracens would normally be the antithesis of a fixture you want to see while on the cold streak, although the unique circumstances currently surrounding the north London side may give Ospreys heart.

The back row in particular fought valiantly against Munster as Dan Lydiate, Olly Cracknell and Morgan Morris got through a mountain of defensive work and perhaps they can inspire their side to get properly back on track on Saturday afternoon.