Biarritz captain Thomas Lievremont has hailed Munster among "the greatest European sides" going into tomorrow's Heineken Cup final showdown at the Millennium Stadium.
The French champions are one win away from a first European title following deflating semi-final failures in 2004 and 2005.
But they are mere Heineken Cup apprentices when compared to Munster, whose tournament record shows two final appearances, three semi-final defeats and two quarter-final losses.
Munster, despite never landing European rugby's showpiece domestic prize, have reached the knockout stages every year since 1998, and it is a pedigree not lost on French back-row star Lievremont.
"We clearly have to inspire ourselves from what Munster have achieved in this competition," he said. "They are one of the greatest European sides.
"Their strength is their forwards, and they also have great half-backs, but we should not feel scared by them. It is no bluff that we have reached the final.
"Our president Marcel Martin has been claiming for two years that Biarritz must play the finals in Europe and the French league. Last year, we won the Top 14 (French Championship) final, and we failed in the semi-finals in Europe. The Heineken Cup is our prime objective this season, and we've never been so close to getting it."
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