Clermont scrum-half Morgan Parra has disregarded both his side’s form as well as Toulon’s heading into their Champions Cup quarter-final.
Each side is coming off a defeat in league action, with Clermont defeated by Racing 92 and Toulon falling to Stade Français.
Asked whether those results would have an effect, Parra adamantly disagreed talking to Rugbyrama: “Not at all.
“For me, Toulon has been targeting this match (against Clermont) for weeks and we know that with the quality of all these players of very high level, they will be ready for the quarter-final.
“Today it is a very different competition. We, too, had our minds on the preparation of this game.
“We cannot take as references the matches of Clermont and Toulon in Top 14. It’s going to be a big 50/50. The teams will have very different looks.”
Parra also acknowledged that home advantage was a major positive for les Jaunards, who are still chasing their first European title after appearing in the 2013 and 2015 finals, and losing on both occasions to Toulon.
“We’re in a hurry to get there. That’s good pressure. We know that it will be very hard, that this team has great qualities. They fear us as we fear them,” Parra said.
“It’s going to be a big game in physical intensity, both in the game and in the atmosphere. We are going to have our home support, who will push, as against Ulster [when Clermont won 38-19].
“Now, it’s up to us not to disappoint them on the field.”
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