The Stade Français head coach Ewen McKenzie has predicted there will be a Test-match intensity in Saturday's Heineken Cup match against Harlequins at The Stoop. Quins produced a memorable backs-to-the-wall display to defeat Stade 15–10 in front of more than 76,000 spectators at the Stade de France last weekend, putting them in the driving seat to qualify for the tournament's quarter-finals.

The Parisians need to win the return fixture in London if they are to stand a realistic chance of topping the pool ahead of unbeaten Quins. McKenzie is confident his men are up to the task, but believes they will have to play out of their skins to come away with anything. "We are going to do all we can to win at The Stoop," said the Australian. "It will be a massive challenge and winning over there will not only be important in terms of qualification but in terms of experience for our team. It will be very special. We are in a situation where we are playing two games at Test-match level back to back against the same opponent and we need to find the answers. I know our potential and I know we can win in London."

Hampering McKenzie's preparations for the match are a series of injuries to some of his key players. Wingers Julien Saubade (thigh) and Julien Arias (back) are set to be ruled out with their respective problems, while Brian Liebenberg (muscle strain), Mathieu Bastareaud, Simon Taylor and Juan Manuel Leguizamón (all calf) are also struggling to be fit. McKenzie could opt to play the Argentina international Juan Martin Hernández at full-back instead of fly-half, with Guillaume Bousses coming in at No 10.