Ambitious Toulon are targeting a domestic and European double - and former French international scrum half Pierre Mignoni believes they have the talent and strength in depth to win the Amlin Challenge Cup and also end up the top team at home.
The club finished as No 2 in the Top 14 at the end of the league section of the tournament, winning 26-23 at Brive in Round 26 last weekend to go into the play-offs on a high and with home advantage.
But in the immediate future it is on the road that they will be tested when they take on Connacht Rugby under the Sportsground floodlights on Friday night.
"Our objectives in the Amlin Challenge Cup were to get out of our Pool with a qualification for the quarter-finals at home," he said.
"That job is done and now we are in the semis which is even better. "We play with all our hearts in this competition in the hope to get some silverware.
"We want to win in the Top 14 and we also want to win the Amlin Challenge Cup so this end of the season is getting very exciting.
"I still have great memories of winning the Amlin Challenge Cup with ASM Clermont Auvergne in 2007 when we beat Bath and, having tasted a slice of European glory it only makes me want to get more and that fires my eagerness to try and win it again with Toulon this time.
"It's great to be given the chance to have a taste of such top level cross-border fixtures and the Amlin Challenge Cup enables that.
"We are pleased to be in a position where we can be competitive in both tournaments as this allows us to give some play time to all our players, that is what we did for the quarters and that's what we will probably do for the semis.
"The more players involved the better. It brings a lot of fervour and enthusiasm into the team and it gives a sense of belonging to the group right until the very end of the season and that is a rather positive aspect of our philosophy.
"I'm pleased to be back at Toulon, the club has made huge progress over the months but you always want more when you get so close to your goal so, until the season is over and we've won something, we can't talk about success.
"We will face Connacht on their turf in Galway in the semis next week. The last time we played them was 10 years ago so I couldn't realistically refer to that because it was another time altogether.
"However, after competing in both the Amlin Challenge Cup and the Heineken Cup I've noticed the changes in terms of progress and the higher level of all competitors over the years.
"So naturally we expect a tough game and it won't be easy to win in an Irish province. Connacht are in the semis and that shows how strong they are. They recently won against Leinster against all odds so it proves how eager they are.
"But now that we are in the semis ourselves we really want to strive for a good result and have a cracking game over there at the same time.
"The club has organised a package deal for our fans that will allow them not only to fly over to Galway and attend the game but also to stay in the same hotel as us. It's great for them to have a chance to experience that and be there to support us.
"I am sure it will be an unforgettable experience for everyone."
