It is the first time Connacht have reached the knockout stage of Europe’s premier club competition and the 31-year-old has been a regular in their European campaigns at The Sportsground since 2014-15, making 38 continental appearances.

“It’s the reason you play the game as a kid - it’s those massive games you dream about playing in,” he said.

“We know the support this weekend is going to be unbelievable. We’re dying to play in front of a packed Sportsground this weekend and we know it’s a special occasion for them, so we want to reward their support with a massive performance.”

Heffernan is also fully aware that Connacht will need to be at their best to upset the four-time European champions, having suffered two comprehensive defeats to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship already this season - 45-8 in March and 47-19 at the RDS in December.

“Once the errors start creeping in, they have so much quality over the park that they will punish you,” the forward points out.

“It’s about minimising the errors, but at the same time not playing within ourselves. We want to play our brand of rugby but not give them easy access into the game.

“Last weekend (against Benetton Rugby) we gave away 18 penalties and if we do that this weekend, we know we won’t stand a chance.”

Connacht Rugby hooker Dave Heffernan knows just how much these next two weekends mean to the Irish province’s supporters as Connacht take on old rivals Leinster Rugby in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16.