Edinburgh currently lead the race for the three available runner-up places on 16 points – but they are only one ahead of Pau and Worcester Warriors, and two in front of Scarlets.

“We need to win, don’t we,” said Cockerill. “If we win, we’re through. I believe a win guarantees us eighth spot in the knockout stages, so we want to get as many points as we can.

“If we win with a bonus-point, I think we could end up sixth, so we’ll see what happens with the rest of the group matches.

“Wherever we go it will be tough, because there are some very good sides left in the competition. It has been a really tough group for us. Bordeaux are a great side. Wasps are a great side.

“We’ve given ourselves a great opportunity to qualify and knockouts are knockouts – we’ll just see where we get to.”

The Edinburgh boss has promised changes after the 32-17 Round 5 defeat at Pool 3 winners Bordeaux-Begles last weekend.

“I was obviously disappointed with the performance and they overpowered us physically at times,” he commented.

“But they are a very good side. They’ve never been to a quarter-final before and they targeted this competition to do that – and they obviously picked their best team. It’s no disgrace losing there. I think we could have played a bit better – but now we know what it looks like.

“We can pick a stronger team. It was definitely sensible to rest a few of the international guys and it gave some of our less experienced boys a tough experience in a harsh environment.

“I’ve got no regrets in the team I picked, but I know we can play a lot better. We’ve got lots to build on, but as you know, I always want to win.”

Edinburgh Rugby head coach Richard Cockerill has set his sights on as many points as possible in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup match against Agen at BT Murrayfield as the Scottish outfit seek to qualify for the last eight for the third time in three attempts.