Wasps expect toughest challenge yet

The former European Champions may have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup but they have no intention of taking their foot off the accelerator in the French capital.

And while Racing Metro's chances of claiming a quarter-final place came to an end when they were beaten 27-14 by Bayonne last weekend, Wasps head coach Tony Hanks believes that defeat may make them an even tougher proposition.

"We are a club with some good history in this competition, a record we will want to uphold, but we are well aware of the quality of the Racing Metro squad," said Hanks, whose side registered a half century of points against Roma in Round 5.

"They come with plenty of ability and I think they are hurting a bit having not had the best couple of weeks after winning nine games in row.

"A bit like us they are tying to get their momentum back, which sets up a hugely competitive game."

Wasps travel to France with a maximum five wins from five Pool 4 games so far this season and Hanks is determined to make it six from six ahead of the quarter-finals.

The Adams Park outfit are highly fancied to repeat their Challenge Cup success of 2004 and Hanks knows that victory in France and a home tie in the last eight would lower those odds even further.

"The Racing-Metro game is important on many levels," added Hanks.

"It is about rankings, with a win giving us a potential top-two position depending on the Connacht game, and more importantly for us, it's about winning in France again.

"The team are really looking forward to the fixture and are certainly up for the challenge on the road.

"To qualify from such a difficult Pool after just five rounds is really pleasing. I think our Pool was certainly one the most competitive, with opposition equally as tough as you'd find in the Heineken Cup.

"We want to go through the pool unbeaten with a strong performance which means we can come back to our European campaign in the best possible position."