Perpignan put their long unbeaten home record on the line when they face high-flying Northampton Saints this weekend.

The reigning French Champions haven’t lost at the Stade Aimé Giral in an incredible 15 matches – a record dating back seven years when they were defeated by champions-elect Leicester Tigers.

But while home advantage points in Perpignan’s favour, results from the opening round of the Heineken Cup action may put the 2003 finalist’s proud record under threat.

Saints travel to south west France on the back of a stunning win over double European Champions Munster. And although Jim Mallinder’s men won only once on the road in last season’s Guinness Premiership, their status as Challenge Cup holders and their impressive start to the new season mean they will arrive in Perpignan full of confidence.

Perpignan, meanwhile, prepare for this Anglo-French affair having suffered a shock defeat in Treviso – a result that adds even more importance to this crucial second-round encounter between two teams who are yet to meat in European competition.