Noves shapes up for forward battle

RUGBY: Biarritz v ToulouseLEINSTER OR Leicester will face one of these French teams in the semi-final, Leinster in the Aviva Stadium and Leicester in England. Although this game is being played in Spain, San Sebastian is a home from home for Biarritz in what is a repeat of last year's final.

Crucially Damian Traille fails to make the team for Biarritz following an Achilles’ tendon injury, while the home side’s front row will also miss Benoit August and Fabien Marcella. Fullback Dane Haylett-Petty is injured but is replaced by the attack-minded Iain Balshaw. Julien Peyrelongue and Dimitri Yachvilli form a strong half back partnership while Imanol Harinordoquy captains the side.

South African prop Daan Human faces a late fitness test for Toulouse, while Benoit Lecouls is ruled out. Byron Kelleher, Thierry Dusautoir and Freddy Michalak won’t be involved so Toulouse need to go deep into the squad. Kelleher is replaced by 21-year-old Nicolas Bezy in his first cup start at nine. The Toulouse bench is a six-two split so Guy Noves is expecting a fierce forwards battle.

BIARRITZ: I Balshaw; T Ngwenya, M Bosch, C Giminez, I Bolakoro; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; E Coetzee, R Terrain, S Marconnet, J Thion, E Lund, M Lund, I Harinordoquy (capt), R Lakafia. Replacements: E Guinazu, J Afoa, C Johnstone, P Taele, W Lauret, Y Lesgourgues, C Gimenez, A Mignardi.

TOULOUSE: C Heymans; V Clerc, F Fritz, C Poitrenaud, M Medard; D Skrela, N Bezy; D Human, W Servat, C Johnston, R Millo-Chluski, P Albacete, J Bouilhou (capt), S Nicolas, L Picamoles. Replacements: V Lacombe, J Poux, Y Montes, Y Maestri, J Doussain, Y Jauzion, Y Nyanga, G Lamboley.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).

Verdict: Biarritz