Christian Califano - a Heineken Cup winner with Toulouse back in 1996 - is set on helping Agen take the European Challenge Cup back to the Stade Armandie trophy cabinet come next May.
Christian Califano - a Heineken Cup winner with Toulouse back in 1996 - is set on helping Agen take the European Challenge Cup back to the Stade Armandie trophy cabinet come next May.
Agen launch their challenge at Rugby Parma on Saturday with the 33-year-old international prop throwing down the gauntlet to the rest.
"The European Challenge Cup is massively important to us this year," said Califano. "We are very clear that our ambition is to win the tournament.
"Not only for the honour of the title but also because it is a definite route into the Heineken Cup and will enable us to be in the most prestigious tournament in Europe.
"The new format of the European Challenge Cup makes it more like the Heineken Cup and gives us a real opportunity to test ourselves.
"There are some really big names in the competition this year - particularly from England - and playing in this tournament will give us real development opportunities both on and off the pitch."
Agen, who beat Bayonne 26-12 in the Top 14 at the weekend, also have Pau and London Irish in their group.
"The biggest team in our Pool has to be London Irish," said Califano. "I played against them whilst I was at Saracens and they are one of the sleeping giants of English rugby. Playing against Olivier Magne will be interesting - I'm certainly looking forward to meeting him on the pitch again!
"At the same time, we mustn't discount L'Aquila. The Italians are restructuring and taking their rugby much more seriously and to under-estimate them would be a mistake. I can easily see the Italian teams causing a few upsets in the tournament this year.
"As for Pau, we have met them so often that, although we know most of their secrets, they know most of ours so we will really have to watch ourselves.
"And I don't think it makes any difference that our first game is away. If we are serious about winning - which we most certainly are - we have to win wherever we are.
"I know it's a bit of a French tradition to always win at home and lose away, but to be serious contenders in Europe that isn't enough.
"We have a few players resting at the moment but we're keeping our fingers crossed for a full squad for the opening game and will put out the best side for the game.
"As far as the favourites for the tournament are concerned, I would have to put my money where my mouth is and say Agen.
"We want this so much and are so serious about the tournament and where it could take us - I can't see anyone wanting it more than us and it's that sort of determination which, I hope, will see us through to victory."
