Just as winning the Heineken Cup became a quest for Munster after their first taste of the final in 2000, so Biarritz are the latest ‘driven’ team to try to get their name etched onto the famous trophy.

They met Munster in the 2006 final, but found themselves beaten by the Irish side’s greater desire. This time it might be the other way round.

Not that Munster are likely to take the game lightly – the club and their fans live for the Heineken Cup. But you just get the feeling that the Gods are ready to smile on Biarritz and their back row magician Imanol Harinordoquy.

The French No 8 has been immense for club and country this season and wants to add a Heineken Cup winners’ medal to the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam he helped France to secure earlier in the year.

The fact the brilliant Basque has been declared fit to face Munster is a huge boost for Biarritz. The loss of Damien Traille is one thing behind the scrum, but to have lost Harinordoquy would have left a hole they couldn’t have filled.

Munster arrive with the same side that halted Northampton Saints’ proud march into the knock-out stages, but they will be missing their talismanic skipper Paul O’Connell because of a nagging groin injury.

The visitors’ have learned to cope without their captain for most of this year and the fiery Alan Quinlan and Danncha O’Callaghan have been taking the fight to the opposition in his absence. More o fthe same will be need at Estadio Anoeta if Munster are to stay on course for a fifth final.

Of course, they have the added incentive of trying to create the first all-Irish Heineken Cup final. Leinster play in Toulouse the day before the battle in San Sebastian and if the Dubliners get through it would give the Munstermen the chance to avenge their sickening semi-final defeat at Croke Park last season.

Before then, though, they have to beat Biarritz and they will need acting captain Ronan O’Gara to be at his very best to steer them to the Stade de France on 22 May.