The 32-year-old had his season interrupted by a fractured cheekbone which sidelined him for almost four months midway through the campaign.

The injury forced Betsen to miss a significant portion of Biarritzs Top 14 season, as well as Frances autumn internationals and RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign.

The flanker sees Saturday as a chance to end his season on a high.

This final comes as a reward, said Betsen, whose club have reached the final of the prestigious competition for the first time in their history.

I have experienced everything with Biarritz since I started playing at the highest level but it will be our first European final.

Playing at the Millennium stadium with my club is going to be a special moment.

Betsen admits the moment will be made even more memorable for the fact he has endured such a testing season.

Ive had to be patient and it was hard at times, he said.

But injuries are part of a players career. When you come out from the hospital and you know that youll be out of action for a while you feel as if you were going to prison.

You end up counting the weeks and days before you get out.

Biarritz, who beat English teams Bath and Sale in the previous rounds, will start the game as narrow favourites after defeating Munster 19-10 at last years quarter-final stage.

But Betsen has warned his side against the dangers of complacency.

Its going to be a very difficult match, he said. We watched their semi-final clash against Leinster and I found them very impressive.

Munster are solid in every area of the game and they are very well organised. The forward line is efficient.

We beat them last year but we have to remain careful. This years final will be totally different.

We will also play in Cardiff this time and the whole stadium will be against us.

Betsen is confident the international experience of his team-mates, Thomas Lievremont, Dimitri Yachvili, Jerome Thion and Damien Traille will help Biarritz cope with the pressure.

Our internationals know what to expect, he said. They experienced it on March 18
when the French XV came to Cardiff to win the Six Nations, he said.