Harlequins can take it to the Max

A record 80,000 crowd for a pool match will assemble in northern Paris tomorrow for the kind of rugby occasion the sport has never seen, featuring pre-game entertainment from jousting knights, sword-wielding soldiers, Moulin Rouge dancers, a gymnastic display team from the French fire brigade, pom-pom girls and swooping eagles - all followed, of course, by 30 players in ludicrously coloured jerseys.

Welcome to rugby, Mad Max style.

Quins will be wearing their traditional painter's palate of colours while Stade, one of the richest clubs in world rugby, will don their controversial jersey featuring Andy Warhol-style prints of a 13th century female aristocrat.

For Richards, this first of two successive matches against Stade constitutes a serious test of Quins' ability to compete with the very best in Europe.

They lost twice to Stade last season but with All Blacks No10 Nick Evans now directing operations, the city slickers of London are equipped to ruin Guazzini's carefully choreographed celebration of Parisian rugby chic.

In an attempt to bring order to what could be a chaotic occasion, Richards, the Quins director of rugby, sat his players down this week and insisted they must not become distracted by what is going on around them.

While the entertainment will certainly whip the fans into a frenzy, Richards acknowledges it could do the same to his players.

So he will rely on returning England stars Nick Easter, Danny Care and Ugo Monye, along with Evans, to keep everyone focused.

Richards said: "We know that Max is going to turn this match into a bit of a circus and there will be distractions all over the place. I have spoken to the players about understanding what the pitfalls and banana skins could be.

"We believe we are prepared for whatever happens. All the players need to concentrate on is making sure their game heads are on at kick-off and they give it everything.

"There is no getting away from the fact that Stade are a quality side but, at the same time, the way we have played and our own style means people will perceive us to be a quality side as well.

"Stade are, effectively, an international team and could put out two Test XVs. While we are an up-and-coming side, there is real excitement at playing again after last season's two meetings.

"It will give us an idea of where we stand in European rugby."

Quins were well beaten in both Cup fixtures last season during what turned out to be a win-less attempt to live with Europe's hierarchy but they are a more experienced unit with Evans on board.

Quins have lacked a world-class No10 for years and now they have added this key element to what is a hugely attractive style of rugby.

It was good enough to get Care and Monye into the England team last month and allowed Easter to prove the doubters who saw his demotion to the England Saxons squad as the end of his Test career wrong.

Instead, Easter, who played at Stade de France for England in their 2007 World Cup Final defeat by South Africa, has proved he is still a ball-carrying force at the highest level.

Stade are second in the Top 14 tournament in France - behind Toulouse. But, after a marvellous start, they have hit a rocky period and picked up injury worries over key players.

Ewen McKenzie, the former Australian prop, is now in charge of the Parisians and is looking forward to the move to France's national stadium from their usual 12,000 capacity home.

He said: "There is a lot of expectation on us for this game. The English-French rivalry is a good one and Quins are a side on the rise. We have to reassemble ourselves and we're looking for our first win at Stade de France.

"One of the reasons I came to Stade Français is because of Max Guazzini's vision. The club are taking rugby in an exciting direction and being a part of that is great and I'm really enjoying myself.

"Obviously we don't get to see most of the showbiz end of things but it's still great to be a part of them.

"Dean Richards has already started the mind games by saying we are the best team in France.

"We certainly think we're one of the better teams and being the best is achievable but we need to be able to get the results even with key players out through international duty or injury. We have to be better in those circumstances."