Director of rugby Conor O’Shea reckons the close knit nature of his Harlequins squad can provide a competitive edge against the Europe’s big spenders.

Quins, who lifted the Amlin Cup last season, kick-off their Heineken Cup campaign when Connacht visit the Stoop tonight before facing Gloucester and French giants Tolouse in pool six of the competition.

Ten of the matchday squad on Aviva Premiership duty at Bath on Saturday are graduates of the club’s academy set-up.

And the Stoop chief believes that – with the help of nail-biting wins over Munster and Stade Francais last season – can make up for the lack of financial resources at his disposal under current salary cap restrictions.

“These guys play for one reason and that is to play in the biggest competitions, the Aviva Premiership and the Heineken Cup,” he said.

“The way we went about the Amlin Cup was brilliant. It gave us confidence going into this year, but this is where we want to be.

“They’ve grown up together. Many have come through the academy and are now playing in the first team. It means a lot to them.

“There will be clubs with bigger budgets and deeper squads. These guys will really, really dig in when it gets tough because they genuinely care about each other and about the badge they wear.

“We can make up for the size of our wallets, through the size of our hearts.”

Quins beat Connacht home and away last season and they have been regular visitors to the Stoop in recent years – suffering defeat more often than not.

But with them making their Heineken Cup debut this season, O’Shea insisted they would not be underestimated.

Particularly, as he believes head coach Eric Elwood’s men will play a large part in deciding who reaches the knock out stages.

“I’ve spent enough years on the back pitch at Lansdowne Road with Eric Elwood kicking high balls at me, to know he is one of the most detailed and passionate Connacht coaches,” he added.

“He is Connacht through and through.

“They have recruited well and they have been incredibly competitive this year. We have to focus on the here and now.

“This pool will go right to the wire because Connacht are going to be very, very tough opposition. If you take them lightly they will beat you.”

And skipper Chris Robshaw admitted he and his players were relishing the challenge.

“You want to play against the best players in Europe and to do that you have to be in the Heineken Cup,” he added.

“Connacht are going to come at us itching to go in the competition for the first time and we are going to have to match that fire with fire.”