The 2005-06 campaign was a season of European triumph and domestic consolidation for RC Lens, as Les Sang et Or, led by manager Francis Gillot, clinched the UEFA Intertoto Cup, which secured a prized spot in the UEFA Cup, where they advanced to the Round of 32. In Ligue 1, they secured a strong 4th-place finish, which earned them another qualification for European competition. Leading the charge in a potent attack was the prolific Gabonese striker Daniel Cousin, whose 13 league goals (and 21 overall) proved vital in a campaign built on consistency and an early home victory against rivals Marseille. It was a successful year that re-established Lens as a European contender and remains a defining chapter in the club's modern history.