Anything less than a win over the Italians will automatically mean an early exit, although it would be a huge shock if Mogliano were to leave the Stade Andre Moga with a first European victory.

The real difficulty for Bordeaux comes elsewhere this week as the Dragons host Bath, while a massive test lies ahead if they are still in the mix the week after when they head to England. Previous Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup winners Bath know that a draw in Wales would secure top spot in Pool 2 a week early but, even if they lose in Newport, Bordeaux will still have to win at The Rec and then hope Mogliano cause some sort of upset at home to the Dragons in Round 6 if they are to progress for the first time since 1996.

Bordeaux have been on the back foot since Round 1 when Bath won 15-6 in France to take immediate control of the pool. Former Wasps hooker Raphael Ibanez has since watched his side see off Mogliano with a bonus point in Round 2 before the back-to-back games with the Dragons saw them well beaten at Rodney Parade prior to winning the reverse fixture 32-13.

Their victory in Italy wasn’t straightforward either, as maximum points weren’t secured until three minutes from time on October 19 when full back Romain Lonca put the gloss on a previously tight encounter. Bordeaux ran out 32-20 winners at the Stadio Comunale Maurizio Quaggia, with Nicolas Sanchez’ conversion denying Mogliano their first point in two seasons of continental competition.

Mogliano’s performance in the first encounter will ensure they travel with hope rather than trepidation but the fact that they have shipped 50 and 63 points respectively on their two previous away games in the pool suggests an upset is highly unlikely.