It is almost exactly a decade since Pau last tasted victory in Europe when they defeated Agen 36-12 on January 14, 2006.

Now a decade later they hope to bring an end to that agonising wait against another French side.

While were involved for many of the subsequent years following that win against Agen, they have lost their last four games in the Challenge Cup, including their only home tie against Newport Gwent Dragons in the previous round.

Paddy Butler, Mosese Ratuvou and Watisoni Votu all crossed yet it was not enough to claim their first match points of the group, against the pool leaders.

Since then, however, they have registered a key win over La Rochelle and pushed European champions RC Toulon close, losing 21-17 after scores from their recently acquired former All Blacks Colin Slade and Conrad Smith.

Six points ahead of them in Pool 2 are Castres who have rediscovered their form in the Top 14 with four successive wins, they now aim to kick-start their European ambitions as well.

Having launched their Challenge Cup campaign with victory over the Dragons they suffered a double set-back with back-to-back losses to Sale Sharks.

Similarly to Pau, they have since registered a home win in the Top 14, over Brive, and picked up a bonus point away, at La Rochelle, despite losing for the first time in five league games.

Director of rugby Christophe Urios said: “I speak every Monday with the players and it is important that players understand what is expected of them. This is essential. The player must understand this, otherwise they may not be efficient, and they must seize the opportunities.

“We have improved but I think we can still do better. There is significant room for improvement. This shows that the whole project is being understood and integrated. For us, it is comforting to know there is still a great margin of progression to be made.”