Cardiff Blues have had to wait 14 years for another shot at European glory but Sunday sees them take on RC Toulon in Marseille in the Amlin Challenge Cup final in "one of the most important games we have had as a region".
Back in 1996 it was Toulouse who ended Cardiff's dreams of Euro glory when they were beaten 21-18 in the first Heineken Cup final and they again have to take on French opposition in the shape of big spenders RC Toulon this weekend.
"It is a very, very important match for the Blues," said Chief Executive Bob Norster.
"We made a slow start as a region but our European record over the last few years has been a progressive one.
"Now we have a competitive and combative team and we are going to need those qualities - and more - for the cauldron that awaits us in Marseille.
"We should have some decent support as there has been a good take-up on our centrally organised flight, the supporters club have a number of coaches going over and others are making their own way down to the South of France and turning it into an extended weekend.
"And in the semi-final against London Wasps they proved they are more than capable of being a very vocal minority."
The match will mark the farewell appearance of one of the Blues' favourite sons - former All Black No 8 Xavier Rush - who was the runaway Man-of-the-Match in the semi-final win against Wasps.
"It will be Xavier's last game for us and he has been immense character and performer for us on and off the field," said Norster.
"He has given us five fantastic years and I am sure he - and all the squad - have one more massive game in them.
"We can only worry about ourselves and the Blues have certainly got where we are the hard way, having to go on the road and perform in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals to get to this Amlin Challenge Cup final.
"Toulon are in a different stratosphere to most of the rest of us in the game in terms of finances and expenditure and certainly have a hugely impressive squad."
