Heineken Cup Champions Leinster travel to Stade de la Mosson to face competition debutants Montpellier in their opening European tie and director of rugby Joe Schmidt has warned that the French side pose a big threat in this season's Pool stage.
Montpellier haven't had the best of starts to their TOP 14 domestic campaign, losing six of their first nine matches, but with the return of a host of International stars and the excitement of welcoming the reigning Champions to town, Montpellier will be geared up for the opening game according to Schmidt.
"They've made a big thing of the first game against us and are looking to sell out Stade de le Mosson, the football stadium in Montpellier," he said.
"I think that's a big thing for them.
"They've haven't started the French league well but they've been deprived of a number of quality players and that's been frustrating for them.
"But at the same time, Marmuka Gorgodze's, Sakiusa Matadigo's, Francois Trinh-Duc and Fulgence Ouedraogo should all be back for them and they have got some really good imports.
"I know Fabien Galthié (Montpellier head coach) pretty well and spent a bit of time with him at Stade Francais about six years ago. I know a little bit about how he thinks and he'd know every bit as much about me.
"He did a great job at Stade Francais, they were one of the big teams at the time and he's taken a year to transform Montpellier to a top-of-the-table side, as opposed to a mid to lower-table side.
"There's a bunch of guys who I think are very, very good players. Fabien will mould them together very quickly."