London Welsh launch their European adventure in real style when they welcome French giants Stade Francais Paris to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday in Round 1 of the Amlin Challenge Cup.
The Premiership newcomers could not ask for a more high profile debut against a club who have contested three European finals - two in the Heineken Cup and the 2011 Amlin showpiece match.
Now the 2012 English Championship winners are set to rub shoulders with some world class players - and Exiles captain Jonathan Mills cannot wait to lead his side out against the star-studded and glamour Parisien club.
"It is amazing to be playing in Europe and it is great to be coming up against such a great European team as Stade Francais Paris," said Mills.
"It will be fantastic going to places like Paris and Grenoble and Prato in Italy - quite a difference from places like Rotherham and Doncaster where we were playing last year.
"Grenoble are doing really well in the Top 14 while Stade Francais are such a huge name in Europe.
"That demonstrates the high quality of the Amlin Challenge Cup and we cannot wait to compete against and test ourselves against these quality sides.
"It is a big plus for us to start with a home tie and if we can get a result there then that will set us up for the rest of the Pool stages.
"Winning your home games is crucial and with just the five group winners qualifying for the quarter-finals we know we will have to pick up some points on the road.
"Stade have a big pack and we will certainly have to match them up front and then hopefully our backs can come good with points on the board."
Former Wales flanker Lyn Jones is coaching London Welsh, Mills adding:
"Lyn is a great coach and really teaches you new things, developing everyone's game. He tries to improve players week in and week out and can be a hard task master when necessary - when the work really needs to be done.
"The captaincy brings out the best in me. The way I play, I lead from the front anyway and hopefully it inspires the other boys to an extent.
"I've experienced lows during my time with the club, but it's moving forward now and it's really exciting times."
