Kris Chesney is determined to help Toulon qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals - and in the process provide the knock-out punch to his old club Saracens.
The England sevens international made over 150 appearances for Saracens but, if Toulon pick up maximum points in their Round 6 all-French home Saturday night showdown with Castres Olympique, that would end Saracens' hopes of staying in the race for European glory.
Toulon go into the final weekend of Pool action one point clear of the 2008 Heineken Cup semi-finalists courtesy of an extra try bonus point with Saracens travelling to Rugby Rovigo for their last Pool 3 contest of the season.
"We will go into the final Pool weekend believing we will definitely need a bonus point against Castres and, as well as it never being easy against them - don't forget they are right up there in second place in the top 14 - the weather does not look as if it is going to help," said second row forward Chesney.
"Naturally Saracens will also be looking to score four tries in their match with Rovigo and, although I would like to say no as to whether they would get those tries, they are such a good outfit you would be surprised if they did not get them."
Pool 3 is the tightest of the lot and with only the five Pool winners going through to the quarter-finals - where they will be
joined by three of the Heineken Cup Pool runners-up - the difference could even go down to the head-to-head matches between them if they finish level on match points.
The relevant details in deciding descending order are:
MATCH POINTS: Saracens 4, Toulon 4
TRIES: Saracens 3, Toulon 3
POINTS DIFFERENCE: Saracens +11, Toulon -11
And while Saracens have qualified for the Amlin Challenge Cup knock-out stages during the last six seasons in which they have played in the tournament, it is 13 years since Toulon were last there - ironically going down to Castres Olympique 23-15 in the 1996/97 quarters.
"For both me personally and for Toulon as a club one of our aims at the start of the season was to qualify for the quarter-finals so that would be one box ticked," said Chesney.
"I definitely think that with the quality of players we have got and the rugby we are playing that we are genuine contenders and we would be extremely disappointed if we don't get through to the quarter-finals.
"And we are certainly after a home draw. No-one would want to come to our place and we have a great record at the ground. Stade Felix-Mayol is a fantastic place to play - if you are with Toulon - though it is totally different if you are the opposition.
"We would back ourselves against anyone at home and if we do qualify we will have not only done it the tough way but there is a very good chance of the 2010 Amlin Challenge Cup winner finally coming from this group."
And Chesney believes the summer arrival of England star Jonny Wilkinson was a major coup for Toulon, adding: "Jonny has had a fantastic impact and the guy is a legend - a great guy on and off the field and a great leader. I played against him many times and it is a pleasure to be playing with him."
