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If it wasn't for a late swing of Pierre Bernard's right boot, Gloucester would be contesting the European Champions Cup this season, not defending the Challenge Cup crown.

They would no doubt rather be dining at the continent's top table, but Bordeaux Begles' last-gasp victory in Worcester in May has given the Cherry and Whites a chance to do something special.

No side has ever successfully defended European rugby's second competition -- which kicks off on Thursday night as Harlequins host Montpellier -- and David Humphreys' side are keen to become the first.

Were they to do so, Gloucester would be rewarded with automatic qualification for next season's Champions Cup, Europe's end-of-season playoff system taking a year off in the wake of the Rugby World Cup. Suddenly, the unloved Challenge Cup has some gravitas.

"It was hugely disappointing for us to lose that game with the last kick of the whole season," Humphreys reflected as he returned to The Stoop, scene of last season's Challenge Cup final, for the launch of the European season.

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"But at the same time, due to the attritional nature of this season, due to the league games backing up with Europe, with our squad depth still developing, another year in the Challenge Cup gives us the opportunity to do something no team has done before, which is go out and retain the Challenge Cup.

"That's what we've talked about internally, it's something we want to do and once we get to Zebre that will be our mindset going in -- win the group, as we did last year, and give ourselves the best opportunity of a home quarterfinal."

Gloucester begin their quest for history against Zebre at Kingsholm on Saturday and they are keen to stay there. Last season's march to the title featured quarter and semifinals at the famous old ground, and although the goal ahead of kick-off is just to qualify from a Pool 4 containing the Italians, La Rochelle and Worcester, a repeat would be welcome.

Under Humphreys the Cherry and Whites have won 15 of their 21 games in Gloucester. They are clearly a side who enjoy home comforts.

"To get a home quarter and home semi at Kingsholm was massive for us as a club," captain Billy Twelvetrees said. "We love playing there and it definitely helped us with momentum going into the final and getting a result."

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Automatic qualification for the Champions Cup may well ensure that defending their title proves a lot more difficult than winning it in the first place, however.

A guaranteed place among European rugby's elite should certainly keep Top 14 clubs interested. And the strength of this year's competition is highlighted by its opening clash, as three-time winners Quins take on Montpellier in what would have been a Champions Cup tie in each of the last four seasons.

The Pool 3 encounter also marks Jake White's first European match in charge of the French club, whose domestic form has tailed off after a bright start.

Montpellier currently sit sixth in the Top 14 table following two successive defeats, and are facing a Quins side who have won three of their first four Aviva Premiership matches. Home director of rugby Conor O'Shea is taking nothing for granted though.

He said: "We have started the season well but there is a lot to improve upon from our last performance.

"I don't focus on winning and losing and I never have, I care about the way you play and the energy you bring. We want to show people what we're about and we've played well over the last few weeks."