Following back to back wins, in the Zurich Premiership and the European Shield respectively, Rotherham are keen to keep their fine form going.

The Premiership strugglers - one win from eight starts since clinching promotion via last season's play-offs - made a mockery of that miserable form by crushing pool three rivals Grenoble last time out.

Grenoble, who beat eventual winners Northampton during the Heineken Cup group stages 11 months ago, crashed 35-5, with Rotherham player-coach Mike Umaga bagging 25 points.

And it gave the Yorkshiremen a timely confidence boost ahead of Saturday's trip to Stade Aime Giral, where among those lying in wait for Rotherham will be Perpignan's former Harlequins and Saracens star Thierry Lacroix.

"We could not really have hoped for a much better start than to beat Grenoble by that margin," said Umaga.

"But we are under no illusions about how difficult the game in Perpignan will be. Most of our team won't know what to expect, having not played in France before.

"We are starting to get things together though - our pack was excellent against Grenoble - and we will have to look for a platform up front again."

Like Rotherham, Harlequins saw off French opposition last weekend, and they possess detailed insider knowledge about Saturday's pool five opponents Ebbw Vale.

Quins' assistant coach, former England and Bath scrum-half Richard Hill, filled a similar role with Vale last term, so knows all about the welcome awaiting his team at Eugene Cross Park.

"We are not expecting any favours, I know from my time with Ebbw Vale that it is a difficult place to go and play," Hill said.

Quins are likely to rest Ireland captain Keith Wood and centre Will Greenwood for the second successive game, but should still eclipse a Vale side with just one league win under their belts this season.

London Irish make the return journey to pool six rivals Aurillac after beating them 42-10 last Saturday, while Bristol visit La Rochelle in pool seven.

Sale will be without lock Andy Whittle against pool four visitors Caerphilly following his sending-off in Auch six days ago, but skipper Alex Sanderson could return from injury.

Newcastle, comfortably beaten by Treviso last weekend, host Welsh-Scottish League strugglers Cross Keys on Sunday.

Keys made a promising Shield debut when they ran fancied French outfit Begles-Bordeaux close, but all five competing Welsh clubs were defeated during a dismal opening weekend.

The Shield title has never previously left France, and things already have an ominous feel to them, with French clubs currently topping six of the eight qualifying groups.