Sale Sharks go into the Second Leg of their European Challenge cup semi-final against Connacht at Edgeley Park on Sunday with a seven point advantage - and the warning that Jason Robinson is as good as back to his blistering best.
Robinson, who captained England in three of their Six Nations Championship matches and is one of four Sharks in the British and Irish Lions tour party for the summer series against New Zealand, has recovered from the thumb injury that forced him out of the final Six Nations matches.
"Jason will be firing on all cylinders by Sunday," said Sale Sharks head coach Kingsley Jones. "He came back from the injury two weeks earlier than expected and is now rapidly getting back to his best.
"I am pleased to go into the Second Leg seven points ahead but I am not pleased that we conceded a soft late try when our advantage should have been 14 points. Now the game is back on with everything to play for.
"It is very important we get to the final - we want that badly. If you win the European Challenge Cup it is a route into the Heineken Cup but a cup final is also such a great day out for the fans.
"Our goals for the season were to finish in the top four of the Zurich Premiership and to reach a cup final and we are still on course for both those targets."
A 35-17 weekend victory over one of Jones' old clubs Gloucester took them into the top three and now their focus is on more European glory to go with their European Challenge Cup triumph in 2002.
"Connacht will make it tough for us - that goes without saying," said former Wales captain and flanker Jones. "If we are not focused we will be in trouble.
"They are particularly good at the drive from the line-out and they have a good kicking game and game plan that suits them. They are a tough side to beat but also having Charlie Hodgson back is a big boost for the team."
