Biarritz v Ospreys: Teams

It will be D-Day at Estadio Anoeta this Saturday when the Ospreys take on Biarritz in the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup.

The Welsh side face a stern examination against a Biarritz line-up boasting in-form flanker Imanol Harinordoquy and scrum-half Dimitri Yachilli, whose boot will punish any lapses in discipline.

But if they can put in an error-free performance and in doing so make the French come out of their shell a little more than they usually would do, then the Ospreys certainly have a chance of setting up a home semi-final against either Munster or Northampton.

What a gift that would be to recovering coach Scott Johnson, who makes the trip over for the game after recovering from a recent illness.

His team selection sees one enforced change as Huw Bennett replaces Richard Hibbard at hooker due to the latter being ruled out for the season with a knee problem this past week.

Homework

"Johnno went down to see Biarritz at the Estadio Anoeta against Toulouse two weeks ago, and what he saw confirmed our homework about them really," said head coach Sean Holley.

"They are a well organised, well coached team that have a lot of threats. They have the form player in Europe at the moment in Harinordoquy, and some seasoned pro's that have led them into this stage of the competition many times before.

"It's going to be a real challenge, but we are really excited about it. This is what we are all involved in professional rugby for, big occasions like this weekend, and Saturday afternoon can't come soon enough for the group."

Biarritz, meanwhile, are boosted by the return of France loosehead Fabien Barcella, who takes a bench spot behind starter Eduard Coetzee.

The side is blessed with talent, notably at centre where Damien Traille is partnered by former rugby league star Karmichael Hunt, while ex-England international Iain Balshaw joins Ilikena Bolakoro and an in-form Takudzwa Ngwenya at the back.

Biarritz: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Ilikena Bolakoro, 10 Julien Peyrelongue, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Florian Faure, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Benoit August, 1 Eduard Coetzee
Replacements: 16 Romain Terrain, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Rémy Hugues, 19 Trevor Hall, 20 Fabien Alexandre, 21 Valentin Courrent, 22 Arnaud Mignardi, 23 Jean-Baptiste Gobelet

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Paul James
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Filo Tiatia, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 Sonny Parker, 23 Nikki Walker