Imanol Harinordoquy confident Biarritz won't wilt again in big game atmosphere

The Stade de France showdown sees Toulouse targeting a fourth European crown, although the game comes just a week after their French title hopes were extinguished by play-off opponents Perpignan.

Biarritz though, have never lifted the Heineken Cup, and memories of a 23-19 defeat against Munster in the 2006 Millennium Stadium final still hurt French Grand Slam hero Harinordoquy.

"That final is a very bitter memory," said Harinordoquy, who played in a mask against semi-final opponents Munster earlier this month in order to protect a broken nose.

"I didn't even want the runners-up medal. What drove me mad was the feeling that we were not ready for the event. The Millennium Stadium was heaving with 40-50,000 Irish supporters, and I think our players went to pieces. This time we won't make the same mistakes.

"When you think back to 2006, it was logical that we reached the final considering our form that season. Yet on the day, even though we had the best team on the field, we lost in Cardiff.

"This year I really believe in what we are doing. We are not favourites, but I really think we stand a chance. These are games that are won through your desire and group solidarity, and we have enough determination to bring the Heineken Cup back to Biarritz."

Toulouse though, are firm favourites, especially having contested the two previous all-French finals – in 2003 and 2005 – and won them both at the respective expense of Perpignan and Stade Francais.

And the threat of players like France captain Thierry Dusautoir, centre Yannick Jauzion, full-back Clement Poitrenaud and fly-half David Skrela is not lost on Harinordoquy.

"I relish the prospect of playing against some of my international team-mates – it will give me a lot of extra motivation," he added.

"There are going to be some great heads-to-heads across the pitch, and I know I'm going to have to be at the top of my game.

"Toulouse are a model of consistency. In terms of squad, structure and results, they are certainly the number one in France – and probably Europe. I compare them slightly to the (New Zealand) All Blacks, especially when you see their three-quarter play and how fast they react on the counter-attack.

"On paper they are the favourites, and they are a team that we don't often beat, but I believe we can beat them.

"I am like most children – I always want what I don't have. It's so hard to get to a Heineken Cup final, and winning it would be so dear to me."

England internationalists Magnus Lund, Iain Balshaw and Ayoola Erinle join Harinordoquy in the Biarritz ranks tonight.

Lund, the 26-year-old former Sale Sharks flanker, is more than happy for Biarritz to go into battle as underdogs against the three-time European champions.

"A lot of people were doubting us," said Lund, who won the last of his 10 England caps against South Africa in 2007.

"It was 'should we be in the quarter-finals?' and then 'should we be in the semi-finals?'

"I think those last two tournament victories (against Ospreys and Munster) have proved a few people wrong, and if people keep writing us off we will be happy to take that and just go out there and do the work.

"Those of our players who had been in the Heineken Cup final before said at the start of the season it was something they wanted to experience again.

"And now while we are happy we are there, it is a case of not just getting to the final, it is the winning of it.

"There is a really good team spirit, and that is what has driven us this far. I hope it takes us one step further and that we can pull it off."

Centre Erinle, meanwhile, is on course to feature in successive Heineken finals for two different clubs. He was part of the Leicester team beaten by Leinster at Murrayfield last term, while he was with Wasps when they enjoyed Heineken success in 2004 and a European Challenge Cup triumph the previous season.

"I have been quite fortunate to be involved with a number of successful teams in high-profile European finals," he said.

"At this stage of a tournament all it really needs is dotting the Is and crossing the Ts, because you cannot improve on your pattern of play or fitness.

"It's just a case of preparing mentally, getting the small details right and performing on the day."

Toulouse's trump card, though, might lie in the form of coach Guy Noves, who has been in charge since 1993 and guided the club he joined 18 years earlier as a player to their sixth Heineken final.

"Guy's CV speaks volumes – he is an exceptional coach," said Toulouse back Maxime Medard. "I think he is probably the most highly-motivated person around at the club, someone who wants to win trophies year in and year out.

"By that, I don't mean that the players don't to win trophies, but he puts a lot of himself into this group to help the players be the best at the most appropriate time.

He is a great source of inspiration."