Munster head coach Tony McGahan insists their Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents Brive pose a 'formidable' challenge.

Both sides are former Heineken Cup winners but it is Munster who have by far the more impressive continental record over recent years.

The Irish province have twice been crowned European Kings since 2006 and have appeared in a total of four finals, nine semi-finals and 12 quarter-finals since 1999.

In contrast, 1997 winners Brive have failed to reach the knockout stages since their defeat to Bath in the 1998 final in Bordeaux.

And while Munster currently sit 12 points clear at the top of their own domestic league, Brive are just one place above the drop zone in their native French Championship.

But McGahan is adamant that history or indeed recent form will have little baring on what will he believes will be a hugely competitive last-eight encounter.

The Australian insists Munster are braced for a massive battle in France, a country where their Heineken Cup dreams were ended by RC Toulon earlier this year and by Biarritz Olympique last season.

“It’s always difficult going to France,” said McGahan, whose side qualified for the knockout stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup as the Heineken’s fifth-best runner up.

“It doesn’t really matter where you play a French side or where they are in relation to the table. They’re down the bottom with regards to a relegation fight but they probably see this as an opportunity to gather something from the season.

“They’re a very formidable side at home and their results point to that. Their away form hasn’t been great, but any French side at home certainly plays well above themselves.”

As for Munster’s own form, McGahan is understandably upbeat, although equally respectful.

The 2006 and 2008 Heineken Cup winners returned to Magners League action with an impressive away win over Cardiff Blues on Friday night, having lost just three times in that competition all season.

McGahan reintroduced a whole host of Six Nations stars back into his squad for the trip to the Welsh capital where their first league victory in six years will have done wonders for confidence.

“We were bringing a lot of players back into the mix,” added McGahan.

“It’s been two weeks since we played. With the Irish internationals having been out and the remaining contracted players not playing for two weeks, to try and amalgamate that as quickly as we could was pleasing.

“It’s really important when you’re bringing a lot of players back into the mix to try and get a win in the first week in, whether it’s after the autumn internationals or the Six Nations.

“It’s really important for the squad to have belief in the way that you’re doing things and the way that you’re trying to move forward.

“A win, especially away from home against a good side, certainly adds to the things that we’re doing and hopefully gives us a good impetus leading into the next few weeks.”