Although they have met many times in domestic competition, this will be their first clash in a European tournament and follows convincing Premiership wins for both sides last weekend.

“It’s another big one,” said back-row forward Ludlow. “Kingsholm will be buzzing. We'll be up for it. We’ll be ready for it and the best team on the night goes through.”

Head coach George Skivington stressed that the two-time winners would have no trouble raising their game after their 64-0 home demolition of Bath Rugby in last weekend’s Premiership derby.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem keeping focused, because that’s a quarter-final in a European competition,” he said. “We are very aware that every game is a knockout game for us. It won’t be hard getting back up.”

Saracens are adopting a similar attitude after their 38-16 win at Worcester Warriors last weekend left them 15 points clear of fifth-placed Gloucester, as they occupy second spot in the Premiership.

No.8 Billy Vunipola said: “It’s a massive opportunity for us to try and turn over a good team away from home. That’s what the Challenge Cup is about. We’re looking forward to it.

“We’re still moving in the right direction. We’re building to the forthcoming weeks and hopefully we’ll get some boys back from injury.

“But the boys who played last week did really well and those who played at the weekend did really well, so we’re creating a good level of competition. That’s only a positive thing for us as a squad.”

Gloucester Rugby captain Lewis Ludlow predicted that Kingsholm will be “buzzing” for Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final with Gallagher Premiership rivals Saracens.