With so much riding on their Challenge Cup semi-final against Clermont next week, a significant amount of air has been let out of the remainder of the Sharks' United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
Because they are placed 13th on the URC table, the Sharks' only chance of a backdoor entrance into the Champions Cup is through winning it, which makes the game against Clermont at Twickenham Stoop a must-win thing.
Unfortunately, it also makes Friday night's clash against 14th-placed Scarlets (kick-off 20:35) in Llanelli an expensive dress rehearsal for John Plumtree's men.