The most impressive aspect of Connacht's 36-9 win against Stade Francais yesterday was that they didn't win in their usual way.
While the western province have dazzled at times this season, they have often been caught out when circumstances force them to go off script.
In yesterday's Heineken Champions Cup opener, they had to change their approach as the Parisians kept things tight, with a forward-oriented game, peppered with kicking, and quick linespeed forcing Connacht into contact.
It was the perfect practice for the kind of rugby they will face at Welford Road next week when they look to end the Leicester Tigers' unbeaten start to the season.
Stuart Borthwick's Premiership leaders have made themselves - at least so far - impossible to beat, the latest win a backs-to-the-wall scrap away to Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday.
But they're a side familiar to Connacht, who were beaten by the Tigers in last season's Challenge Cup quarters, as Leicester went on to the final where they were beaten by Montpellier.
"We were over at Welford Road last year," said Connacht head coach Andy Friend yesterday, as eyes turned towards next Sunday.
"That scoreline (48-32) blew out the tail end but with 15 minutes to go there were two points in it.
"We're a better side this year, as are they, but if we play our style of rugby they'll have to work hard to contain it. If they play their style, we'll have to work hard, it should be a good contest.
"Players now know that it's Welford Road, it's another footie ground, there's a lot of great games that have happened there but we're on the field less than 12 months ago and we very much competed.
"That'll give us a shot of confidence but we're under no illusions what lies ahead."
The Connacht philosophy of "Fast, Relentless, Adaptable" has been mentioned quite regularly by the coaching team before and after matches this season.
And while the Stade pressure in defence and control at the scrum meant that Connacht couldn't play at their usual pace, the win was centred on their adaptability.
Not only did they have to change their approach to the game, they were without several starting players, including Finlay Bealham, who was ruled out of the game due to illness.
"My message to the boys there was that it was a frustrating game," the Australian said.
"I found it frustrating because I didn't feel we got going, but at the same time I'm extremely pleased with the way we rallied and got the scores we got.
"It's a different way of winning than we've won this year. Our A-zone completion, and Jack was instrumental in that, was excellent, but previously we've scored from a little bit further out. We won in a different style today which was good.
"I was hoping for it (the win). I'm actually not surprised by it, and that's not being arrogant, just based on the way we’ve been playing.
"We didn’t get the speed into the game we wanted to. It wasn’t a fast game which makes me even prouder they way we won it.
"I knew if we could get a lot of ball movement, we could make them struggle. But we didn’t and we had to find another way to win.
"Did I expect it? I’m never arrogant enough to expect it but I was hoping for it. As for the scoreline, I never try to guess a scoreline. I’m really pleased that we got six (tries) and they didn’t get any."
Meanwhile, Friend confirmed that Tietie Tuimauga is close to making his debut for the province. The Samoa international - whose signing was confirmed in October - took part in the warm-up with his new team-mates yesterday at the Sportsground, and is expected to make his first appearance in Connacht colours in the coming weeks.
