The Heineken Cup is closer to Test rugby than its Super 15 rival according to Australia hooker Stephen Moore.
The southern hemisphere's premier competition has been lauded for its supposedly high-scoring and attack minded approach but Moore reckons it is the northern hemisphere's top tournament that really prepares players for the international stage.
Moore, who is on the verge of becoming Australia's most-capped hooker outright this month, believes the need for a strong scrummage and effective setpiece makes the Heineken Cup very similar to the Test scene.
''The Heineken Cup is probably a bit more similar to Test rugby than Super Rugby is," said Moore, who is preparing to face France, England, Italy and Wales in successive weeks.
''They put a lot of time into their forward play, and part of that is the nature of the way rugby is played over there.
''These guys are playing that style of game week in week out. So the forwards battles in these Test matches are certainly going to be very important to the result.
''Everyone can scrummage well but you've got to do it over one Test, two Tests, three Tests, four. That's going to be the big theme of the tour as far as the scrum goes.''