It is another trip to France for Connacht Rugby, and another joust with Montpellier.
With the two sides having met some eight times, Stuart Lancaster’s side will be hoping the odds continue to favour Connacht, who have won six of those eight clashes. They will seek to advance to a European semi-final for the first time in 16 years.
Connacht forwards coach John Muldoon, having played in France on numerous occasions, is familiar with the environment, and says Connacht will face a number of challenges in getting over the line this weekend.
“There's a big history between Connacht and Montpellier. I've been to three different grounds, and each one of them was unique, each one of them different, each one of them loads of rugby history.
“I remember being stuck there for about 15 or 20 minutes, waiting for our bus to come the day before the game in the captain's run. And you look up to the big plaque with all the names of the internationals who have played for them - it’s phenomenal. So it is a club really steeped in in history, and to see some of the names up there was a bit eye watering.”
Connacht last met the French outfit earlier in the season when they lost 33-31 in the pool stages, but Muldoon believes that previous experience will help.
“The experience being there earlier in the year is really good. Obviously disappointing, but I think we're a different team than we were back then. Certainly, there's a lot more belief. There's a lot more clarity in what we're trying to do, but it's not going to be easy.”
Connacht will be missing outhalf Josh Ioane who is undergoing GRTP protocols, while Dave Heffernan (hip ) will be assessed before a decision is made on his availability.
However, Shayne Bolton (quad ), Hugh Gavin (shoulder ), Sean Jansen (calf ), David O’Connor (wrist ) and Harry West (knee ) will all begin to re-integrate into training this week, and will be assessed before the travelling squad to South Africa is named.
Oisin McCormack (shoulder ) has undergone surgery which unfortunately rules him out for the rest of the season, but there are no updates on Temi Lasisi, Oisin Dowling, Caolin Blade, David Hawkshaw, Byron Ralston, Mack Hansen, and Finn Treacy.
Hunting for silverware
Muldoon says Connacht must also prepare for warm weather and an early start.
“The early start, and the weather will be big factors. It's due to be in the early 20s, so it's going to be quite warm.
“There are challenges around the sun, challenges in getting there in the morning, getting up and getting going. That's the thing people always forget, when you're expecting your body to wake up early and get going and moving - that's a big challenge, especially for younger members of the squad.”
However, Muldoon says Connacht, despite facing challenges throughout the season, is “still massively in the mix”, and they have drawn on players' past experience to highlight the challenges and excitement ahead for the younger players.
“Joe Joyce was up today, and it was an exceptional and personal story of his life, his history and his family. He had a picture of the Bristol win, so that brought back great memories.”
Muldoon says Connacht are getting closer to a possible trophy win.
“Three games away from winning a trophy - if you can't get excited over that, you're in the wrong job. When you separate everything and you say, 'hold on a second, you've got a one-off game, you could be at home in the next round, you could be going to Zebre'. There's huge excitement, but we've got to get over the challenge in Montpellier first, and we're not going to underestimate them.”
In addition is the opposition itself, he says, their scrum, maul and their back-three are all threats, including Australian Tom Banks who is an electric open-field runner.
It all adds up to a demanding contest for Connacht who would love to deliver a victory to keep them in the hunt.
