Gloucester will be hoping to enjoy a good run in this season’s Heineken Cup following last season’s home quarter-final defeat to eventual winners Munster. 

Dean Ryan’s men seemed to have done the hard work after beating the Ospreys, Ulster and Bourgoin to win their pool last time out, but found the Irish province too tough.

The Cherry and Whites have faced Biarritz in the competition twice before with both sides sharing a win each. 

2006 finalists Biarritz have signed three new forwards in flanker Pierre Som from Agen, All Black Campbell Johnstone from Canterbury Crusaders and South African prop Nicolaas Pretorius.