Overmach Parma have made a huge impact in Europe - and captain and flanker Riccardo Piovan believes "I think we have been the surprise package. At the start of the season the club had one objective - to win one match in the competition.

"We have played four and we have already won twice - so that gives us a new goal, to qualify for the quarter finals. We have got to beat Pontypridd and try to be the first Italian side to reach the last eight.

"We have played our best rugby in the Shield competition probably because there is less pressure on us and we able to play more freely. All four matches have been played at a higher level. The referees we have met have allowed us to play.

"It is a question of attitude - as Italian clubs we often have an inferiority complex. We have a tendency to think the other sides are better than us, but this season we have taken the attitude that we have the ability to be as good as the rest.

"That has come from our coach David Snyman who has given us new belief.
"Since the first game against Leeds when we went in winning well at half time he told us to keep attacking. What we would have done I the past is to sit back and relax, but the coach said keep attacking and we did.

"I think we surprised Leeds, they probably thought it would be an easy game. The Beziers game was much tighter and I think Pontypridd was even harder. They are probably the most powerful of the sides in the pool and we will have to work to get the ball away from their forwards if we are to have a chance of winning.

"One of our strengths is out wide and I think we have a chance of beating them at home where we haven't been beaten this season. We know what we have to do, it's a case of doing it. We certainly respect Pontypridd."