Twickenham Stadium will host the showpiece final, a venue that no doubt provides the England international with many happy memories, including several Gallagher Premiership final wins and England appearances.

The major finals have dried up over recent seasons though for the Welford Road club, with the last European showdown coming back in 2009, a European Cup final defeat to Leinster Rugby.

But a Challenge semi-final success over another Irish province in Ulster Rugby has given Leicester a springboard to a European crown, something Cole admits his side have worked all season for.

“We can't wait to play,” Cole said. “We’ve worked hard all season to play in games like this.

“Playing for a trophy at the end of the season is what drives us every day even if the club has not been in these games for such a long time.

“We have had difficult years. The team went through phases of transition and we had to adapt.

“We didn't want to be at that level but this competition has shown our progress.

“With this desire to rely on a strong pack, we feel we are ready to win a trophy and to put Leicester back in its rightful place on the European map."

The 34-year-old added that his side have prepared suitably for what is sure to be a powerful Montpellier pack that arrives to face Leicester at English Rugby’s HQ on Friday night.

“We have analysed and prepared for the Montpellier team,” he said. “We are aware that it is a very large team with some very big and powerful players in the pack.

“They are strong in the mauls and whilst they are not afraid to come into battle, they also like to bring the ball to life and spread it so we are well aware of the challenges that face us on Friday.”

Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole has said a string of “difficult years” for the East Midlands club will be driving his side when they take on Montpellier in the European Rugby Challenge Cup final on Friday night.