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The PARKER PEN SHIELD is proving a bonanza for Welsh sides, with both entrants in the box seat to progress to the semi-finals.
Ebbw Vale turned in a superb performance to beat Pau 29-3 at Rodney Parade, while Caerphilly came from behind to beat Rugby Parma 41-28 at Virginia Park.
But despite their 13-point advantage, Caerphilly coach Mark Ring says his side are still the underdogs to qualify going into the return match.
A mixture of injuries, visa problems and work commitments has left Ring's squad looking thin on the ground.
"The tie is far from being over and it's going to be an intriguing match," admitted Ring.
"They are a highly organised side, their lineout is destructive, they're slick behind the scrum and their game-plan is very destructive.
"We've not been at all consistent on the road, in fact we haven't won away from home all season, so that speaks volumes of the task ahead."
Ring was disappointed by the amount of errors that his side gifted the Italians and he has warned his side that a repeat performance will see them booted out of the tournament.
"Although we won the game by 13 points I still wasn't happy after the game. We gifted them 14 points and we could have had at least a couple more tries and that would have settled the game.
"Instead, we've got one hell of a game on our hands. I don't want to play our chances down as we've got a lot of spirit but there are a lot of things to work on.
"We need to work hard on our ball retention, cut out our unforced errors, take advantage of any opportunities and make sure we kick consistently."
The Caerphilly coach will be warning his players that they can't rest on their laurels going into this game.
"It's 0-0 again. We'll just be looking to win the game and won't be doing anything differently.
"I think the key is, the longer we can keep it at 0-0 the better - if we concede some early scores then I know my boys will start to panic.
"But if we can keep them at bay for as long as possible then we should start to come into the game."
With a potential lucrative semi-final only a game away Ring knows the importance of this game to Caerphilly RFC.
"We're a part-time team and even to get this far is great. I realise the importance and I hope the players understand the magnitude of the tie."
Bryan Shelbourne was the hero of Ebbw Vale's classy win over Pau by kicking 19 points, and coach Mike Ruddock will be looking at the little scrum-half to kick the goals in the return leg as his side looks to defend a healthy 26-point lead.
Ruddock said: "It'll be different when we get out there - they have three or four top players, including their big No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, to come back.
"But we did a good job in the first leg and we're taking a big lead out there. We're happy that we achieved our targets at Rodney Parade, and now we have to use our momentum for the return leg.
"I've never won in France, so it's a personal target for me."
