Munster skipper Beirne will lead out the Reds on their first visit to Stade Marcel Deflandre and their first ever meeting with the out of sorts Top 14 outfit looking to ignite their season with a last 16 victory. With Peter O'Mahony, Jean Kleyn and Thaakir Abrahams back in the side and half-backs Jack Crowley and Craig Casey firing, Munster's large army of supporters have travelled in hope of another miracle match against the champions of 2022 and '23. "I don't think any team is stupid enough not to expect something from us," declared Beirne. "Most teams now know in this competition we can turn up at any point and it's going to be no different here. "We know what we're capable of, I think this competition can bring out the best in this club and that's what we're going to need to do, for sure, going over to somewhere like La Rochelle. It's a competition that they've come to absolutely love as well and it will be in their DNA going forward, I've no doubt. "So it's going to be a battle for sure and one I'm very excited to be involved in. We know it's a big ask but we also know we're well capable of it. And if Jack can be at his best we're certainly halfway there, for sure.” Beirne acknowledges that Munster must keep their discipline - they lost Alex Nankivell to a red card against Connacht last weekend and he misses out today, with Sean O'Brien switching to centre in his place, and also had two players sin-binned. The captain was one of those yellow carded and he stresses the need to be smart in their approach, particularly at the breakdown The most important thing, however, is Munster's need to front up for the physical battle that La Rochelle will provide through players such as Will Skelton, Levani Botia, Pierre Bourgarit, Uini Atonio and Grégory Alldritt. “This week is a little bit different because none of us have played in the stadium, and we haven't played La Rochelle," he said. "We can only go by what we've seen in the games that we've seen them play. “I think it's pretty straightforward in my eyes, though. It's going to be a pretty intense game, the atmosphere is going to feel like it probably can suffocate you at times, and that is kind of what French rugby does, and it's probably why they struggle on the road so much. “That's the challenge. They love the power game, they love big carries, they love big hits, so that's all ahead of us. We're going to have to front up to that and be ready for it all, and hopefully not just match it but be even more physical and more powerful than they are. "It's a European week that gives it a different feeling, for sure. There's a little bit more excitement, there's probably a bit more nerves around the place, which is natural as well and it’s do or die this weekend. We've one crack at it, so it's about preparing as best we can and being on it for Saturday.” Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.