Rampant Toulouse rewrote the European Cup record books as French clubs made a stunning start to this season's competition, amassing more than 200 points between them.
The 1996 European champions destroyed Pool C opponents Ebbw Vale 108-16, a record tournament score, while Perpignan posted a half-century at Neath and Stade Francais and Colomiers both won away.
With no boycotting English teams to trouble them, the French challenge already looks irresistible, although Leinster and Munster deflected some attention with their impressive opening victories.
Ebbw Vale, Welsh Cup finalists and Premier Division top four finishers last term, conceded 16 tries as Toulouse ran riot in front of 8,000 fanatical supporters at Les Sept-Deniers.
Shattered Vale saw Toulouse replacement Michel Marfaing touch down four times, Pierre Bondouy and Philippe Lapoutge each claim hat-tricks, with fly-half Christophe Deylaud kicking 11 conversions.
"We are devastated by the result - we came here positively, but were amazed by the pace and power we met," said Vale coach Leigh Jones.
Toulouse coach Guy Noves added: "It's sad for Welsh rugby, but we respected our game plan, the opponents and the public by keeping going right to the final whistle."
Perpignan, who fielded French Grand Slam forwards Raphael Ibanez and Thomas Lievremont, subdued a spirited Neath side through five second-half tries to run out 5133 winners at The Gnoll.
But Neath coach Lyn Jones said: "The game was there for us today, I am extremely disappointed that we fell asleep for 10 minutes and allowed them to take control."
Pool A and title favourites Stade Francais beat Begles-Bordeaux 3928, fly-half Diego Dominguez contributing 14 points, while Colomiers made a winning start in Pool D, pipping Italians Benetton Treviso 22-19.
Three players were sent off during European Shield fixtures involving Welsh and French clubs.
Canadian referee Ian Hyde-Lay dismissed Caerphilly captain Nathan Jones and Perigueux hooker Lancelot Eymard for fighting at Virginia Park, with both players subsequently receiving 21-day bans.
