Their Heineken Cup hopes may be over for another season but that doesn't mean Harlequins will be taking their trip to Toulouse any less seriously this Sunday.
Four defeats from four have left Quins marooned at the bottom of Pool 5 just nine months after they reached the quarter-final stages of Europe's premier club competition.
Most critics expect that losing streak to continue when the Londoners face the daunting task of taking on the three-times Heineken Cup winners in the own back yard this weekend.
But despite qualification being beyond them and regardless of current form or fortune this season, lock James Percival and head coach John Kingston insist there is still plenty to play for at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
"There may not be anything riding on it this weekend, but as players these are the biggest games of the season," said Percival.
"You are testing yourself against international players - my opposite man is one of the best in the world - and it is a great opportunity to prove yourself on the biggest stage.
"The Heineken Cup was the catalyst to our season last year and I see no reason why this week shouldn't be the same. You never want to lose to the French either."
Kingston, who has taken a more public role since the departure of Dean Richards in August last year, admits that travelling to Toulouse is one of the toughest challenges in world rugby.
But, having seen his side run the French giants mighty close at The Stoop back in October, the former Richmond supremo believes a shock result is a possibility if his players rise to the occasion.
"The whole point of being in the Heineken Cup is to pit your wits against the best teams in Europe," added Kingston.
"We are under no illusions how hard it is going to be. We're playing against a quasi-French international team with a couple of New Zealand internationals thrown in.
"We respect them, but we are not going there to make up the numbers.
"But for a couple of mistakes we probably deserved to win the last time we played them, but playing them in France is a different thing altogether.
"England's Elite Player Squads have been announced, but these are the games where players have to perform to put themselves in contention for future selection."
