This pre-tournament preview will be updated after the last round of group matches...

For a long time Biarritz rugby was famous for it’s favourite son the legendary Serge Blanco. However times are changing down in the South Western corner of the Pays Basque.

Biarritz play in the top tier of Europe this year for the first time ever in their history. Last season captain Jean-Michel Gonzales succeeded where Blanco had failed before him. They won their first ever French Cup final, and European qualification, thanks to a sterling second half display in the final from ex-All Black Frano Botica.
Botica has been instrumental in Biarritz’s recent rise, running the show from fly-half, kicking his goals and smashing over drop goals from all over the pitch. His experience is vital, but this is by no means a one man team.

Coached by old stagers Laurent Rodriguez and the ‘Bayonne Express’ Patrice Lagisquet, this side will be looking to mount a serious challenge, having reached the quarter-finals of both the European Shield and French Championship last season. These two have over one hundred international caps between them, and have assembled a balanced squad, illustrated by their current position at the top of Poule 2 in the Championship.

Picture: Fly half Laurent Mazas - a pivotal part of Biarritz's first European Cup squad. (AFP)

In the pack Gonzales is a fearsome hooker and in the second row veteran Olivier Roumat partners the athletic new French cap Legi Matiu. In the back row Serge Betsen is a fringe member of the national squad and alongside him Thomas Lievremont is a fearless defender who is more than comfortable with the ball in hand.

In the backs play revolves around Botica, but he has plenty of options. On one wing he has Phillipe Bernat-Salles, who although is sometimes overlooked by national coach Bernard Laporte is a big match player and scorer of one the most famous tries in recent rugby history.
There is also a second All Black at fullback. Make no mistake Christian Cullen is a fantastic player but Osborne on his day is as good, expect his profile to be raised as the tournament goes on.

They entertain champions Northampton in their opening game and will look forward to that one. From then on they will face Edinburgh Reivers and Leinster and will fancy those too. As with many of the French teams in the competition, success will come down to translating robust home form to away matches.