Both sides come into the contest off the back of domestic defeats and the former England forward warned that Clermont will also be seeking a big performance.

“I’m expecting the best this weekend,” he told Sale’s website. “On the back of a loss, Clermont will be fresh, wanting to win and wanting to make a statement.

“You underestimate a team like that on their home ground at your peril.”

Sanderson believes that his side have moved on from their 32-15 defeat to Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership last week and that their attention is firmly fixed on securing a second win in Pool A.

He also detailed how Sale plan to approach the game against a Clermont side who were beaten 29-23 by Ulster Rugby at Stade Marcel-Michelin in Round 1.

“The lads were frustrated after last Friday, but right now, having worked off and sweated off the last game, they’re really focused on Clermont, buoyed up and energised for the weekend ahead," he added.

“I’ve been saying it and saying it, but discipline is the big one for us.

"Clermont are a team that if you allow them to get on the front foot, they’re juggernaut-ish in terms of their unstoppable momentum. You don’t want to give them anything for free and we have been giving teams a lot of free opportunities, even when we’ve been dominant.

“Anyone who knows anything about French rugby knows what the scrum and the maul give to a French pack in terms of mentality. If you’re able to get parity or dominate in that area, it goes a long way to winning the games down there, away from home.”

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has demanded a response from his side when they travel to ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Champions Cup today.