Shaun Edwards believes his London Wasps side will go into Saturday's Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Cardiff Blues "as slight underdogs".
The three-time European winners - Wasps won the Amlin in 2003 and the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007 - were beaten by Bath in their St George's Day match at Twickenham Stadium last weekend in their dress rehearsal.
That set-back more or less brought to an end their hopes of reaching the last four in the Guinness Premiership and has left them seeking silverware for the season via Europe.
"We will have to be really on our mark defensively against the Blues and improve on last week," admitted Edwards.
"You just have to look at the amount of powerful ball carriers they have in their side .We are really going to have to step up to the mark.
"When you look at the team on paper we are going into the game as slight underdogs but that's when Wasps are at their best.
"There is more kudos to the Amliin Challenge Cup this year because of the change in format. The Blues could have reached the Heineken Cup final last year and Toulon have been the team of the season in France so far.
"Toulon are becoming the new Real Madrid of rugby with all the money they are bringing into the game. It is going to be a battle between the 'haves' and 'have nots' in their semi-final against Connacht."
Wasps are sweating on the fitness of England and British & Irish Lions lock Simon Shaw for the weekend. He picked up an ankle injury against Bath and is set to receive treatment all week ahead of a Saturday morning fitness test.
