They have an eight-point advantage over their Top 14 rivals who they beat 28-25 in their Round 2 meeting in the French capital, hooker Remi Bonfils crossing for their only try.

They have gone on to make it four from four and now face their last major group stage hurdle in a tournament in which they went desperately close to claiming the silverware only for Harlequins to beat them 19-18 in a Cardiff thriller in the 2011 final.

Sergio Parisse's team wind matters up at home to London Welsh but this one is the contest they know they have to win to stay on course for home advantage in April's quarter-finals.

Match Facts

• Grenoble have lost four of their last six matches in this competition, though this includes a game when the French side fielded an ineligible player and a victory over London Welsh was overturned.
• Stade have won their last four matches in this competition as well as 11 of their last 12.
• Only Adrien Planté of Perpignan has more tries (6) than Stade winger Francis Frainifo (5) this season.
• Of players to have attempted 10 or more kicks at goal this season, Nicolas Laharrague has the highest success rate. He has maintained a 90% accuracy rate from his 10 attempts.