Connacht are preparing for a massive Biarritz backlash when the two sides clash in Parc des Sports Aguiléra this evening.

A heavy list of injuries and poor weather will not help Connacht’s hopes of claiming a home victory over French heavyweights Biarritz this evening.

United States prop Mike MacDonald will become the Eagles’ most capped player with 63 Test appearances in Sunday’s World Cup opener against Ireland.

USA head coach Eddie O’Sullivan last night said he believed he had picked his strongest available squad for the World Cup.

BIARRITZ maintained their unbeaten start in Pool Four of the Heineken Cup with an emphatic bonus-point home victory over Ulster.

HE may have looked strangely subdued come the final whistle in Paris on Saturday, but Toulouse coach Guy Noves livened up somewhat when praising his team after they recorded a record fourth Heineken Cup triumph.

France number eight Imanol Hirinordoquy has recovered from a broken nose to take his place for Biarritz against Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final in San Sebastian on Sunday.

HE’S Portumna born and bred, has the Cannings and Damien Hayes as neighbours, and was good enough to win an All-Ireland minor hurling medal with Galway in 2000.

CARDIFF BLUES will complete a triumphant march into the Heineken Cup quarter-finals tonight, but head coach David Young insists: “There is still work to be done.”

FRANCE’s glamour club Biarritz have been hit by injuries ahead of their European Cup clash against Glasgow tonight, when only a win will keep alive their fading hopes of a quarter-final place.

The United States have made just two changes to their team for Sunday's World Cup Pool A clash with South Africa in Montpellier.