La Rochelle co-captain Romain Sazy has promised that the French club will “give everything” as they bid to mark the first European final in their history by winning the Challenge Cup at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park on Friday night.

They face TOP 14 rivals and two-time winners ASM Clermont Auvergne, after topping Pool 4 and then beating Bristol Bears 39-15 in the quarter-finals and Sale Sharks 24-20 in the semi-finals, the latter two at their Stade Marcel Deflandre ground.

“We have done everything to reach the final – this is now a bonus,” said Sazy, who has featured in seven of La Rochelle’s eight Challenge Cup ties this season.

“We understand the magnitude of the event. We will be supported by Rochelais fans in Newcastle, at Deflandre and by all those in front of their televisions. We will give everything to bring back something for them.”

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Director of rugby Jon Gibbes labelled the final “a fabulous opportunity to represent the club, the fans and the town”, while centre Geoffrey Doumayrou wants La Rochelle “to show what we can do”.

The French international added: “We have nothing to lose. We must not be nervous. The match is going to be much harder than usual, so we will need to be even more accurate and even more disciplined.”

La Rochelle face a Clermont team who are 16 points ahead of them in the TOP 14 and packed with internationals and those with experience of big occasions like Friday’s.

However, La Rochelle’s France prop, Uini Atonio, pointed out: “Our team also have experienced players – World Cup winners, [international] players from France and other European countries. There’s a good mix with those who have less experience of this type of match.”