The Tigers were crushed 23-8 Biarritz at the Stade Aguilera in October and want to erase memories of that result by defeating the French club and replacing them at the top of the Pool One table.

This week weve looked at that game to see where we went wrong and to decide how we can put it right, said Ellis.

Our mental approach wasnt quite right last time but weve come a long way since then, not just with the way weve been training but also the way weve been playing in the build-up to this game. We owe them one.

Ellis has enjoyed two fascinating duels with England rivals Matt Dawson and Andy Gomarsall over the past month, emerging with distinction from both, and on Sunday he faces another of Europes top scrum-halves in Dimitri Yachvili.

Should Ellis gain the upper hand in the contest against the France number nine, he will serve Andy Robinson with a timely reminder of his quality as the England coach makes plans for the RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales on February 5.

But Ellis said: Im looking forward to playing Yachvili but as I did against Matt Dawson and Andy Gomarsall, Im going out there worrying about my own game first and foremost, not the person opposite me.