Edinburgh Rugby skipper Greig Laidlaw is hoping the Heineken Cup can refresh his side as much at this weekend's quarter-final stage against mighty Toulouse as it did earlier in the season when they were qualifying for the knock-out stages.
Away from Europe it hasn't been a great season for the Scottish side, but Laidlaw knows his team has saved their best for the Heineken Cup. Now he wants more of the same to ignite the 31,000 strong crowd that will be cramming into Murrayfield on Easter Saturday.
They'll all be looking for a repeat of the form that saw Edinburgh do Pool doubles over Racing Metro 92 and London Irish on their way to pipping Cardiff Blues to top spot and a home quarter-final.
"We were struggling in the PRO12 at the start of the season and the Heineken Cup certainly refreshed and energised us. It got our campaign going," said Laidlaw.
"Now we are looking for a return to European action to do the same for us on Saturday and that much needed win over the Scarlets last weekend has given us some momentum again.
"These are the games you want to play in as professional players and it is fantastic to see the Scottish rugby public backing us so magnificently. The crowd figure is growing every day and we had reached 31,000 by Tuesday lunchtime.
"That will add to the occasion and we'll certainly be trying to put on a great show for them. The crowd will also add a bit of pressure, but my message to all the players this week will be to focus on the game plan and do the little things as accurately as possible.
"Toulouse are the Manchester United of European club rugby and are one of the best teams in the world. They have great players and are used to being in the Heineken Cup at this stage.
"But we've put in some great performances in Europe this season and we believe in our style of play and our systems. We've come through to win a number of tight games and we can't wait for this one."
Saturday's game will be Toulouse' 125th in the Heineken Cup and their 13th quarter-final. Some of their players have appeared in five finals and the club has won the Heineken Cup four times.
As for Edinburgh, this is only their second appearance in the knock-out stages and the first time they have earned the right to play at home in the last eight. Underdogs they may be, but forwards coach Tom Smith doesn't mind his side being labeled in that way.
"The stakes have changed now we are in the quarter-finals. Playing at home will be a big advantage, but it will be performance on the day that counts the most," said Smith.
"Toulouse are used to being involved in the business end of the Heineken Cup, but we are capable of performing to the right level to compete and we are in a good place as a team right now.
"It is a classic case of youth and enthusiasm battling against age and experience. We don't just want a taste of the tournament at this stage, we want more. To get that we need a good start, a good middle and a good end to our game."
