Caolin Blade concedes it is the "million dollar" question why Connacht seem to thrive against French opposition and wilt against English rivals.
But he will happily take a continuation of the trend at Stade Francais on Sunday as the westerners look to cement their place in the Champions Cup knock-outs for the first time.
A losing bonus point will definitely be enough to secure their passage, although even that won't be necessary if Castres can't earn a winning bonus point against Harlequins.
Connacht have already put Stade to the sword - in their opening pool encounter at the Sportsground - and although the Top 14 club have a formidable home record in the competition, their hopes of progression are distant.
“It's the million dollar question, I think we relish the style that the French teams play, I know our forwards really get up for it," said scrum-half Blade.
“For us as backs, they have some really standout players and I think you have to raise your game to some of them.”
Connacht had to quickly get over their last-gasp loss to Leicester Tigers last Saturday, having led the Premiership leaders by 18 points in the second half.
"It's exciting to right the wrongs of last weekend, but I think this group at the moment is on such an upward curve," stressed Blade.
"No projection is ever straight, we had a little dip and we'll try get back on the horse this week
“There is no better place to go than Stade in Paris. I think you'll see 23 lads raring to go.”
Blade is looking for his own season to ignite after an achilles injury and illness killed the momentum he had built up to last summer, when he earned his first Ireland cap versus the USA.
"It's more about getting a run of games. I don't think my confidence is low but the more you play, the better you are," said the Galwegian, who has also had to battle a resurgent Kieran Marmion for game time.
“When you're involved in an Irish setup and see the players and standards you have to get to, it's only going to give you motivation.
“That's why I am a little bit frustrated this year, I came back and had an injury and couldn't push on.
“I'm still only 27, I feel like I'm getting better every month, every year. I just need to push on and back myself.”
The opportunity to play his part in the province making the knockouts and thus to create history is a tantalizing prospect.
“It would be massive," said Blade. "Look, I was lucky enough to be involved the year we won the PRO12.
"One of the biggest things I remember from that year is how much it meant to the fans.
“I'm a Connacht player but a Connacht fan as well. To even be talking about making the knockout stages shows the growth we've had in the last few years.
“For us as players, it's not to let that too much into our performance. It's on us as players to represent everyone in Connacht.
"It's a great feeling to be going into Champions Cup games knowing we have a really good chance and expecting to win.
“We just have to put a performance in. We're going to go over there to try and win.”
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