Blown away in the Basque Country

THE Irish dream of yet another Heineken Cup perished yesterday at the Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian, when, just like their neighbours Toulouse against holders Leinster on Saturday, Biarritz proved too good on the day for Munster, the 2006 and 2008 champions.

Munster were totally outplayed for the final 40 minutes and it is scant consolation they did score the game’s only try through Keith Earls. It was converted by Ronan O’Gara and enabled them to lead from the 15th to the 64th minute but it was all Biarritz in the second half as the Munster lineout was humiliated and the team as a whole failed to function.

So it’s an all-French final in Paris in three weeks and on the evidence of the weekend developments, it’s only as it should be. Biarritz gambled with Imanol Harinordoquy, broken nose and grotesque face mask and all, and it was completely justified. Not only was he a dominating figure in every aspect of the play on a personal basis for the 65 minutes he stayed on the pitch but he also inspired those around him. It took guts to do what he did and the great number eight’s reputation soared even higher after this tour de force.