However the current director of rugby at Biarritz wants to make sure the Basque side are playing in Europe’s premier competition next season with victory in the Amlin Cup this year, starting with semi-final success over Brive this weekend.

He said: “Winning the tournament would be anecdotal, the most important is to make sure we are qualified for the Heineken Cup.

“I would like to be able to leave the club and this squad knowing that, despite all the difficulties we have had, we have a good end to the season.

“Getting to the final would show that we were capable of doing a lot better than the circumstances have allowed.

“It would show this Biarritz squad is a lot better than many people have said over the last few months.

“It would allow us to get into the Heineken Cup which is the key. But it’s also the opportunity to enjoy the end of the season.

"We’ve had some difficult moments and we are not yet out of [relegation] trouble. If we can enjoy ourselves in this competition that would be a good thing.”