“It’s a new fresh challenge in a different competition,” said the 29-year-old. “After this game, it’s knockout rugby in Europe and it’s something that this squad can’t wait for.

“It’s a completely different outlook on how we’re going to be playing. It was a tough loss last weekend, so it’ll be great to get stuck into a new competition against a different team.

“Prep has been pretty similar. There’s a lot of looking at ourselves and at what we want to achieve from this game in particular. Hopefully, it’ll be a great opportunity to gather a bit of momentum and get a win.

“In terms of how we’re approaching it training-wise, nothing’s changed dramatically. We’re still focused on forwards’ set-piece and backs’ set plays, and we’re looking forward to the weekend.”

It will be a new experience for Clarke, who has never faced the Welsh region in his 23 European appearances.

“I’ve never played at Newport,” he said. “We’ve all seen the pitch and I think it’s similar to ours. It’s going to be a challenge for us, but the boys are raring to go. Especially after the weekend, everyone’s desperate to get back out there and right a few wrongs.”

Clarke admitted he has some “great memories” of the Challenge Cup - he was a member of the squad who were runners-up in 2018, although he didn’t play in the loss to Cardiff Blues in the final.

“A cup run is great, knockout rugby is great,” he commented. “Especially if we can get some games here at Kingsholm, it’s always bouncing. It’s something that I can’t wait for.”

With Gloucester Rugby through to the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 with a round to spare, flanker Freddie Clarke stated prior to their Pool B finale at Dragons on Saturday night how much the Gallagher Premiership club are looking forward to the knockout stage.