Bayonne had waited almost 30 years to join the European elite whereupon the organisers rewarded them for their perseverance with pride of place at Munster’s La Scala: Thomond Park.
When their big day finally came, the French debutants were so excited that they left virtually their entire first team at home on the far side of the Bay of Biscay. That their misfiring hosts wound up very thankful that they did is beside the point, that sending second XV’s makes a mockery of the so-called Champions’ Cup.
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