The Englishman wants to avoid a repeat of three years ago, when the four-time European Cup winners bowed out at the semi-final stage.

“The goal ultimately is to get yourself a home quarter-final, number one, but number two ideally finish first or second in the seedings, which means if you win a home quarter-final, you get a home semi-final,” Lancaster said of the runaway Pool 1 leaders.

“We found to our cost three years ago when we drew the last game [of the pool stage] and that gave us third place. We ended up playing Clermont away, which we lost.”

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Although Leinster triumphed 13-6 at Lyon in Round 2, Lancaster is fully aware of their capabilities, with Pierre Mignoni’s side second in the TOP 14, only three points behind the leaders.

“I think Lyon’s strengths are their counter-attacking game, their ability to play off turnover,” the former England head coach added. “They’re probably one of the best-coached teams in the TOP 14 in terms of starter plays off lineout.

“They’ve got [Charlie] Ngatai in the centre, who’s a world-class player in our opinion, and [Josua] Tuisova and [Noa] Nakaitaci on the wings, so they’ve got serious strike power.

“Carl Fearns is a real talisman for them, a player I know well from England.

“So, strong scrum, strong lineout, well coached, great on the counter-attack.”

Leinster Rugby senior coach Stuart Lancaster has promised that the Irish province will not be taking their foot off the pedal at home to Lyon on Sunday in Round 5 of the Heineken Champions Cup – even though they have already qualified for the last eight.