Irish rugby doesn't have a deep and meaningful relationship with the Challenge Cup but with two provinces in the mix it may be a route to salvaging something from the season.
The Champions Cup has been won seven times by Leinster (4), Munster (2) and Ulster(1), while the secondary competition trophy has only visited these shores once, when Leinster claimed the then-Amlin Cup in 2013.
Ulster are just inside the URC play-off cutline with five regular season games to play, while Connacht are a point behind in tenth place.
There are just three points separating the teams occupying spots six to 11 in the standings so it looks like a race that will go down to the wire.
There's no head coach in the Irish system that will come out and say they are going to prioritise one competition over the other but a winning run the Europe would go a long way towards salvaging what has been a disappointing season for both.
It always appears like a winnable trophy for the Irish sides that don't have the European pedigree of Leinster and Munster.
For one, it usually doesn't have either of those teams in the mix, while the pick of the Top14, in particular, and Premiership sides are either involved in the Champions Cup stages or occupied with their domestic duties.
Two tough away challenges face Richie Murphy and Pete Wilkins, the Ulster and Connacht head coaches, to begin with, in the form of Montpellier and Pau.
Both teams qualified for the last 16 after finishing second in their respective pools, each with three wins from four games, while the Irish sides drop down from the Champions Cup.
Ulster opponents Montpellier, winners in 2016 and 2021, are currently second from bottom in the Top14 and although they have a 12-point buffer over Oyonnax, they are in the relegation play-off place, four points behind Lyon.
Murphy, installed as interim boss after the departure of Dan McFarland, has a short space of time to try and make a big impression. Only guaranteed eight games at the helm, a run to the final or better would be ideal for him to stake a claim and every win will be precious.
"Montpellier away is a tough, hostile place to go we will deal with that," said Murphy after last weekend's 13-7 loss to Stormers in South Africa.
"We want to get through to the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup. They a big physical team with a good home record. It's another massive test for us."
Of course, they'd likely have to do most of their work on the road due to their seeding, but it's a route that Munster proved last season in the URC can be fruitful.
Waiting in the subsequent knock-out rounds are the likes of Hollywoodbets Sharks, Zebre, Edinburgh, Bayonne, Cheetahs and Clermont but for a side that this season beat the then Top14 leaders Racing 92 and Leinster away, they are not daunting opponents.
Of course, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since those victories but their merit can't be written off completely either.
"I think they can win it," former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast this week.
"Montpellier have zero interest in this Challenge Cup, which is ideal.
"They are dragged into a dogfight to avoid a [relegation] play-off so they are looking over their shoulder at that.
"The Challenge Cup for Ulster and Richie would be a brilliant tonic for what's been a difficult season.
"He has them playing for their jerseys...and a run in the Challenge Cup could just change the whole mood up in Ravenhill."
Ulster's previous best in the competition came in 2021, when during the Covid-19 curtailed format, they accounted for Harlequins and Northampton away before losing a semi-final to Leicester at Welford Road, seen at the time as a big, missed opportunity.
URC semi-finalists last season, missing the play-offs would constitute a setback for Wilkins (below), who is in his first year in charge of the Westerners.
"In terms of the Challenge Cup, we can't wait, the group's certainly not lacking in energy, we don't need a lift, it's just another thing to be excited about," Wilkins said following his side's 18-14 loss to Benetton last weekend.
"It's a huge opportunity for us. I think it's good timing in terms of the challenge and the type of venue, the type of opposition we're playing."
Should the visitors get the better of Sebastien Piqueronies' Pau side, their side of the draw features Benetton, Lions, Sale Sharks, Ospreys and Gloucester, teams that an outfit boasting Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham shouldn't fear.
While he won't be fit until a possible semi-final, the return of star wing Mack Hansen would only add to their chances.
Connacht reached the semi-finals in 2004, 2005 and 2010 and after finishing fifth in their pool in last season's competition, fell at the first knock-out round, going down 41-19 in Treviso.
It doesn’t have the glamour of the Champions Cup but silverware of any description would be most welcome in Belfast or Galway.
Ulster’s game at the GGL Stadium kicks off on Sunday at 12.30 Irish time, while Connacht’s clash with Pau starts at 5.30pm.
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