Both teams notched bonus-point victories in their Round 1 games last weekend, but Cardiff top the pool on account of their marginally better points difference after their 38-16 success at Rugby Calvisano.

“We did ourselves a favour by picking up five points away from home last week,” Mulvihill told the Cardiff website. “We’ve got a great history in this competition, but to get out of your group you have to win your home games.

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“Depending on how much importance the French team place on the Challenge Cup, this game could go a long way to figuring out who finishes as the top two in the pool.

“It’s a home fixture for us and we need to win it, but I’m sure Leicester will be looking to come down, get the points and set themselves up nicely for the rest of the competition.

“We’ve looked at their last three games and there was certainly a rise in intensity against Pau last week. A lot of the big players played in that game and certainly had a big effect on the outcome and the performance.

“We expect that some of them will arrive here on Saturday at eight o’clock and it might be a little bit cool for them down here on the plastic pitch. But we’re really looking forward for them to bring a strong squad and making a big game of it.”

Mulvihill is delighted to be able to welcome back two of his Rugby World Cup players from Wales duty in backs Hallam Amos, who is set to make his Blues debut following his summer move from Dragons, and Owen Lane.

“It’s good to finally get those boys back in,” said the Australian. “I’m sure they’ve enjoyed their time away in the Welsh colours, but I know both Hallam and ‘Laney’ are keen to put the Cardiff Blues jersey on and have a decent crack out there for us on Saturday night.

“I’m sure they’re looking forward to starting something new at the club and getting off with a big win against a massive European opponent.”

Cardiff Blues head coach John Mulvihill has targeted a 100 per cent home record in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this season as they prepare to host double European Cup winners Leicester Tigers in a mouth-watering Pool 5 tie on Saturday.