The three-time finalists again fell short in Europe’s elite club competition last season, securing a home quarter-final before being beaten 36-27 by eventual finalists Racing 92, while Bristol were sealing their maiden European title in the Challenge Cup.

But while Azema is aware of the threats posed by the English club, he is more concerned about how his team perform in the game at Ashton Gate, which is live and free-to-air on Channel 4 and Virgin Media, as well as on BT Sport at 13:00 UK and Irish time.

“It’s about staying focused on ourselves, learning about ourselves, and having a good handle on what we can control in our preparation in the weeks leading up to it,” he said.

“We know that we’re playing against a team that are establishing themselves. Given the aim that they’ve had for the last two or three seasons, they’re starting to get to where they want to be.

“They’ve just won the Challenge Cup and they’re ambitious, both in this competition and in their domestic league, so we know that we’re going straight up against the in-form team, who are working their way up the English game.

“They’ve got a quality squad. They’ve just proved that and confirmed their ability to play in knockout games and win them.

“They’ve built a team, a new mindset and a new culture around Pat Lam, so bit by bit, we’re starting to see those aspects cropping up.”

Azema stressed that the French side are not looking any further than the pool stage, with the competition expanded to 24 teams making it even tougher to reach the last eight.

“With the format [of the competition], it’s first a question of qualifying, because it has been very difficult in the past,” he added.

“With the format this year, it will be even more so. Nothing must be left [to chance] in this competition. We must be very efficient.”

ASM Clermont Auvergne director of rugby Franck Azema has revealed that he is focusing on his own team rather than opponents Bristol Bears ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup clash on Saturday.