The former All Black, who led several teams in New Zealand and Australia prior to his move to the Gallagher Premiership champions ahead of this season, is now thrilled to be involved in European rugby’s elite club competition.

“It’s really exciting, because I spend most of my time in the Southern Hemisphere, [where] the Heineken [Champions] Cup is on a pedestal,” he said.

“When you have all the best clubs in Europe playing, some of the best rugby I think I’ve seen in Europe is some of those quarters and semis, and some of the finals of the Heineken [Champions] Cup—they’ve been exceptional.

“Just to be in that league, involved in these games coming up, is very exciting. We know it’s going to be difficult, knockout football and the nature of pool play.”

Looking ahead to his side’s Pool B opener at Castres Olympique on Sunday, Matson warned that the TOP 14 outfit will be keen to claim a huge scalp following Quins’ Premiership trophy win last season.

“This will be a massive target for them,” he commented. “And for them, playing the current English champions, it’s going to be really important. They’ll know they have to be at their best and they will be.

“They always bring it in Europe. So, I’m really excited. Castres has got a strong history.”

Quins were beaten 21-7 in their opening game of last season’s Heineken Champions Cup and although Matson wasn’t in charge for that fixture, he will play a key role in helping the side amend the faults which led to that defeat.

“When I was joining the club, it was closer to the end of the season, so I actually didn’t venture too far back,” he admitted.

“But the Munster [Rugby] game has been spoken about in a very disappointing manner. They were really gutted for the team to lose so convincingly in Europe.

“And I think that’s often a little pebble under your beach mat during the summer. This is a completely different year. The players have high expectations of what they’re going to do and what they’re going to achieve.

“It doesn’t stop you playing against a really good team and getting beaten convincingly. That’s the nature of the Heineken [Champions] Cup, isn’t it?

“The best teams in the Northern Hemisphere are here. We have to be at our absolute best to prepare the team as a coaching group, because the styles are very different.”

Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson has revealed how much the Heineken Champions Cup is revered by teams in the Southern Hemisphere.