Back row dynamo Josh Navidi believes Cardiff Blues must take the game to Toulon when they tackle the reigning champions in a huge Heineken Cup clash at the Allianz Riviera in Nice on Saturday, January 11 (kick-off 4.40pm local time).
Blues are just two points behind Toulon in the Pool 2 standings as the race to qualify for the knock out stages intensifies next weekend.
Navidi was part of the Blues side that stunned Toulon 19-15 when the teams met at the Arms Park in October.
However, the size of the task is only underlined by the fact Toulon ran out 45-25 when the teams met in the competition last season.
But for Navidi that performance in the Stade Mayol back in January 2013 is cause for optimism as Blues ran in for four tries and push the French giants all the way.
He said: “It’s always hard out in France, but we are all looking forward to it. Last year we came close to them and we now need to go out and back ourselves.
“We scored four tries last year and we need to go and play like that again. It will be a hard game and the atmosphere will be something else.
“It’s a massive challenge for us away at Toulon. The players they have are unreal, they have all the stars, but if we dig deep and put them under pressure you just never know.
“We have to go out and take it to them, there is no point letting them control the game.
“People will say we are underdogs with no pressure, but there is always expectation when you play for Blues. We back ourselves and will take it to them.”
Blues go into the game on the back of an encouraging 22-13 win over local rivals Newport Gwent Dragons that Navidi admits was crucial to keep the league season on track.
“We needed that result. Last week was disappointing because if we had got a win down at Rodney Parade we would have moved up the league and overtaken a few teams,” he said.
“We had to win back on home soil and not giving away a bonus point is also a positive.
“The forwards in the second half against Dragons were outstanding and the backs controlled it.
“We now need to keep building on that in the RaboDirect PRO12 and now going into the Heineken Cup, as we have a chance of qualifying.”
Navidi was the most recognisable man on the field for Blues in the league win as the rest of the squad shaved their heads to raise funds for Velindre. But the flanker revealed how he had also played his part while keeping his distinctive look.
“I shaved off six dreadlocks and put the purple smiles on the side of my heads. They are dyed in and it took around three hours… so will last for ages,” he smiled.
“It’s good for awareness and fair play to the boys, they have all done it and we have raised over £10,000 which is great.
“The boys were happy with what I did. It was either wax the legs or do this to my head. This is more visible and luckily my mum and brother are hairdressers!”