Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care thinks the Amlin Cup will be a different challenge to the Heineken Cup - but no less important.

Last season’s disappointing campaign meant director of rugby Conor O’Shea’s men have been drawn in the second-tier of European competition this time around.

Quins will face Bayonne, Magners League side Connacht and Italians I Cavalieri Estra in Pool One of the competition and kick off their campaign in France on Sunday.

It is a far cry from beating Stade Francais in the Stade de France nearly two years ago, but Care insists it is competition Quins are taking seriously.

“If we are honest it isn’t the competition we wanted to be in, because every year you strive to be in the Heineken Cup,” he said.

“This is going to be a very different challenge, a different experience and Bayonne are going to be really tough opposition.

“We’d like to win some silverware this year and the Amlin Cup is another opportunity to do that, but it is certainly not going to be easy.”