Worcester Warriors have already put down a number of markers this season - and Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock believes they are ready to make a real mark in Europe.
The Warriors contest their first Euro final when they have a high noon clash with Bath Rugby at Kingsholm, Gloucester, on Sunday.
And Ruddock - Wales' 2005 Grand Slam coach - believes reaching the showpiece European match has already considerably enhanced Worcester's standing and profile.
"We are delighted to be in the final of the European Challenge Cup and I think it's a real reflection of what we have achieved this season in terms of improving as a team," he said. "Our league form hasn't been great this season and the European competition gave us a great platform to take the pressure off and concentrate on improving our game and working together without constantly worrying about where we were in the table.
"Winning the match on Sunday would be fantastic for us. Worcester are in a position where we have set very tangible targets which, once achieved, will go down in the club's history books forever.
"We beat Gloucester in a league game for the first time ever this season as well as winning four games in a row in the Premiership - another first for us. Winning the tournament would be about so much more than just the trophy. It would not only be our first piece of silverware, but a piece of European silverware and a big step in the history of this club.
"A place in the Heineken Cup for next season is obviously a big carrot but it is very much secondary to the title and trophy themselves. We want to win this piece of silverware and the Heineken Cup spot next year would be the icing on the cake.
"Worcester have a great team spirit, born out of our many relegation battles and those years at the bottom of the league where you all need to pull together and fight for survival. The togetherness this has fostered is a big feature of the club.
"In addition to the fact that we have several players of significant quality in the side, I would say our spirit is our biggest strength - and we are going to need all of our strengths to play against a very strong Bath side.
"They have a great tempo to their game, they want to hold onto the ball and stretch the defence which we will try and counter. They don't kick possession away or lose the ball in contact so you have to fight to get your hands on the ball. They will try to outflank you and fair dues to them because it's something we try and mirror in our own style of play.
"Having experienced European success could well help Bath in the run-up to the game, but it's a double-edged sword as those lost finals, particularly last year's against ASM Clermont Auvergne, can bring doubt into the mind and we will certainly focus on those feelings. Hopefully, if we get them on the ropes early on in the game, feelings of 'here we go again' will shake their confidence and make them beatable.
"There are several players leaving us at the end of the season so this will certainly be a last hurrah for a few of the guys.
"Thinus Delport - who is playing some of the best rugby of his life at the moment - is leaving, Shane Dhram is going to Japan and, finally at the age of 39, Tony Windo is retiring so obviously everyone wants to end this season on a high."
