‘Munster can blitz Biarritz’

EX-MUNSTER second-row Mick O’Driscoll knows as much about Biarritz as anybody, and he is convinced his former comrades can upset the odds in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup on April 3.

And he fully expects any creases regarding a switch from Biarritz to San Sebastian to be overcome.

Perpignan’s O’Driscoll said: “Had we got that far, we would have played our home quarter and semi-finals at the Nou Camp in Barcelona. That’s definite.

“The presidents of Perpignan and Barcelona are close friends. Barcelona are working on building a support base in our area and vice versa.”

O’Driscoll has endured a miserable time with injuries and has missed all Perpignan’s games since he cracked two bones and strained ankle ligaments in November. He damaged his back on the road to recovery but is confident he will be back in action the weekend after next. Perpignan put up a dismal performance in losing to Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup on Sunday, and failed to qualify.

However, they are fifth in the French Championship with just three points separating the top five clubs and that is now their main focus.

“That was a shocker on Sunday but it’s the way we are,” said O’Driscoll.

“We never lose at home and never win away. Of our 14 away matches this season, we won only four and took only a point from a possible 15 in our away games in the Heineken Cup.”

O’Driscoll was part of Munster teams which travelled to France as no hopers and came home with the spoils - and he believes it can happen again.

“It’s a tough draw for Munster. Biarritz are a very good side, they have fanatical support and will be very much up for the game. There might have been a time a few years ago when French teams weren’t as keen on Europe as they were for the domestic championship, but with the exception of Bourgoin this season, that’s no longer the case.

“Biarritz have strengthened their squad with a few big signings, most notably Imanol Harinordoquy in the back-row. They came to Perpignan three weeks ago and we only beat them by two points. That mightn’t seem like a big deal from their point of view, but not many teams win away from home in the French Championship.

“We took them on up front and beat them up and down the pitch in the first-half and led by 18-6 at half-time. But they came back in the second-half and nearly beat us.”

Even though Biarritz boast a powerful pack containing French internationals Harinordoquy, Serge Betsen, skipper Thomas Lievremont and Jerome Thion, they are no slouches behind the scrum as well.

Full-back Nicolas Brusque would make any European team and out-half Julien Peyrelongue and Puma Martin Arramburu are established internationals.

“On form, they have a good back division but they don’t always click,” says O’Driscoll.

“The key as always will be up front. Munster can take them on there and beat them. Their back-row is immense and rated the most consistent in French rugby. Betsen is averaging 16 tackles per game and there’s no doubt Harinordoquy is awesome in the line-outs and scores a lot of tries.

“But, funnily enough, he can be a weak link because he doesn’t put in all that amount of work and is a kind of flash back-row forward. I suppose he feels that way because Betsen and Lievremont put in so much hard labour.”

Surely, though, Biarritz must be strong favourites at home?

“I wouldn’t say strong favourites,” insisted O’Driscoll.

“Munster will come as underdogs and that will suit them. They’re not playing great at the moment but they’re still winning and that’s the sign of a great team.”

Interestingly, Biarritz head coach Patrice Lagisquet wasn’t popping champagne corks either yesterday.

“I haven’t seen them play too often this season but I know they are among the best teams in Europe. And we lost to them four years ago in the quarter-final (38-29) so that will not be forgotten,” Lagisquet said.

“Their key area is 8, 9 and 10. Anthony Foley, Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara are their main players. These are the key.”