Last season’s European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-finalists snatched a 16-12 Round 1 victory against Northampton Saints last Friday and take momentum into this weekend’s crucial contest against Dragons.

Seven of the eight French sides in the competition won their opening round fixtures, with Montpellier’s defeat to four-time winners Leinster Rugby the only blemish on a fantastic weekend for Top 14 clubs.

South African born Marais, who joined the French outfit in 2013, believes the prospect of a final appearance on home soil is a huge motivator for not only his side, but all the French clubs in the competition.

“It’s definitely the best, most glamorous competition in the world," said Marais.

“So, for a French side to play in the final in France, it would be amazing, and, like all the boys, it’s like a dream for us.”

“We’ve been able, as a club, to reach certain milestones last year, that we’ve never done before, like the semis, or the playoffs, for the [European Rugby] Challenge Cup, and also the top 6 [domestically].

“We were first in the Top 14 until we stopped for COVID-19, so we’re trying to build and be better every season, and I think for us, as a team, a relatively young team, to be able to do something like that would be amazing.”

It is a relatively young Bordeaux-Begles team that includes French international fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, who came off the bench against Northampton after his exploits in the Autumn Nations Cup.

“Well, I think Matthieu [Jalibert] has always been a really exciting player, but everyone knows about him,” added Marais.

“I think Yoram [Moefana], the new centre who’s played for us in five games, I think he’s someone to watch, to look out for, because I think he’s going to have a great season, especially when he gets quicker and he gets more space around him.

"Otherwise, there’s a lot of the youngsters who bring a lot of energy to the group, the internationals, so there’s a lot of youngsters that I think will have a good season like [Cameron] Woki, like Yoram, I said, and Matthieu, I think, three guys who really look forward.”

Bordeaux Begles lock Jandré Marais says his side are ‘dreaming’ of European success on home soil with this season’s Heineken Champions Cup final being held in Marseille.