Clermont Auvergne centre Gonzalo Canale is looking forward to a return to his native Italy this weekend but has warned his teammates that Aironi are improving game by game.

Clermont travel to the Stadio Brianteo in Monza, looking to keep alive their hopes of a Heineken Cup quarter-final spot.

The French side are currently third in Pool 4 but the group is so tightly contested only three points separate the top three.

They recorded a 54-3 victory over Aironi in the home tie back in November but Canale believes Rowland Phillips’ side have improved since that first meeting.

“I’m really looking forward to going back to my country and to see me family,” he said.

“Aironi is a very young team, but they are better and better. If we are not focus on this game, it will be a disappointment.

“During the last game against Aironi we were euphoric because of the 100year Clermont celebration and we know Saturday is going to be different.

“The fight and commitment will be higher from them and you have to remember that most of their forward pack are International players.

“I spoke to some Aironi players this week and they weren’t happy with the previous defeat. They didn’t expect it and they want to show everyone that they deserve to play in the Heineken Cup.”