“Yes, having the final less than 50km away is an added source of motivation,” said the 45-year-old, who won the trophy as a prop for Gloucester Rugby in 2006.

“The players are keen to progress as far as they can in this adventure. RCT have previously lost a final in Marseille, which was against Cardiff [Blues].

“We hope to get as far as we possibly can in the competition, but we’re aware that a tough and sizeable challenge awaits us, initially in the pool and then, if it comes to it, in the knockout stages.”

Toulon – three-time winners of the European Cup, but yet to lift the Challenge Cup – have been paired with TOP 14 rivals Bayonne, Welsh side Scarlets and English Premiership club London Irish in Pool 2.

“It’s a pool of real pedigree, but RCT have reason to be ambitious in this competition,” Collazo added. “There’s a determination and a desire to progress as far as we can. That’s a target that the players have set.

“We open our campaign with an away match at Bayonne, which will be a tough one. We’ll then get a good crowd in for our game against the Scarlets, who regularly feature in the Champions Cup. How we fare in those opening two games will be very important.

“In our home games and even in the away matches we’ll only be able to afford one slip-up and even then, it depends on the pool.

“In the knockout stages you’re involved in one-off games. It’s all played over a short period and you have to deliver immediately and be up to speed in the competition right from the off.”

The Toulon boss is hoping to copy the blueprint employed by ASM Clermont Auvergne and La Rochelle last season, when they played the first all-French final in the Challenge Cup since 2012, when Toulon lost 21-18 to Biarritz Olympique in the decider.

“Both teams went all out in the competition,” Collazo remarked. “It’s a special competition that deserves to be respected and for us to go all out in it. We’re going to try and make sure that the trophy stays in France, but we know that’s a big ask.”

RC Toulon head coach Patrice Collazo admitted that having the European Rugby Challenge Cup final in Marseille next year has given his club an extra incentive to reach the competition’s climax for the third time.