Finals appearance doesn't count as success says Isaac

Isaac saw his side beat Welsh favourites the Ospreys and double Heineken Cup winners Munster in the knockout stages but the Australian says he still can't describe the 2009/10 campaign as a success.

Biarritz lost out 21-19 to Heineken Cup record holders Toulouse on Saturday afternoon, four years after falling at the same stage to Munster in Cardiff.

"For me a successful season means winning a title, so it's been a good season but no more than that," said Isaac, who won the French Championship with Biarritz in 2002.

"We've had three weeks without a game and the guys complained about not having much gas left in the legs.

"We had a good first half but a very bad start in the second half.

"There is a lack of maturity in the team with many players new at this level, but this experience will help us grow."

The Biarritz scrum had been a crucial element of the Basque side's quarter-final and semi-final successes but they were outplayed in that department at the Stade de France.

Toulouse were dominant in that department, with hooker William Servat being named Man-of-the-Match and a number of penalties coming as a direct result of their constant pressure in the setpiece.

"It wasn't great," added Isaac when asked about his team's disappointing showing in the scrum.

"Up until now it was a part of the game where we were strong.

"It's always been a good base to launch the game but today we suffered against a very good Toulouse scrum which was foundation of the victory for the red and blacks. I have no answer for their dominance."