Leinster veteran and captain Isa Nacewa knows that Sunday's Champions Cup semi-final against Clermont will be a monumental test.
Nacewa was part of the Leinster side who defeated Clermont in the European Cup semi-final back in 2012 in Bordeaux, before the Irish province went on to win their third title in four years.
Taking on Clermont this time in Lyon, the Leinster back acknowledged how tight-knit the Clermont players were and the insight they would have from ex-Leinster player Jono Gibbes, now on the Clermont coaching staff.
One advantage for Leinster is that they have won both European knockout meetings with Clermont in 2010 and 2012.
And rather than being intimidated by what is likely to a raucous atmosphere at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland, Nacewa has called on the side's younger players to embrace it.
“It’s the hardest game of the year, hands down, the brand of rugby they play. And you can see how they play for one another," Nacewa told the Irish Times.
"With a dominant forward pack coached by the one and only Jono Gibbes, his insight into Leinster will be big for them too.
“They’re world-class players and you can see by the way they play the game, it’s a huge challenge for us. One that we have to embrace and enjoy.
"They’ve probably got one of the best-supported teams that travel to games and this is down the road for them.
"It’s going to be noisy. It’s going to be blue and yellow, but Johnny [Sexton] and myself have been telling the young guys, don’t get spooked by the occasion. Go out there and really soak it up and enjoy it.”
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