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Toulouse v Biarritz is an interesting game. More than anything, the consideration has to be how the forwards will fare against each other, what attacking options will the back three take, and how the defences will fare on the day.
I believe the Toulouse defence is far stronger than Biarritz's. They both have similar attacking styles, so on the day discipline and defence could be the keys to this game.
If I was the Toulouse coach looking at the Biarritz side I'd anticipate their strength in the forwards. Their scrum and driving maul dominated
Llanelli, and I would have to find a way to combat that. Toulouse have the ability to compete against any team, and if they have the confidence to achieve what the coach has asked them to achieve, they should come away with the spoils.
If I were in Patrice Lagisquet's shoes I would be saying to my team 'we have nothing to lose and everything to gain'. The Biarritz forwards have to take the game to Toulouse because their halfbacks have the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck. I would tell my players that they were world-beaters, and despite the fact that Toulouse are the form side in the Heineken Cup and will go into the match as clear favourites, they can cause an upset.
It's a big game at Thomond Park, with the majority of people tipping London Wasps to have too much power for Munster, but it I were Munster coach Alan Gaffney, I would appreciate exactly what I had in my squad to counteract a powerful Wasps side. Munster has two lineout specialists in Paul O'Connell and Donnacha O'Callaghan who can compete in the highest level.
They have a halfback combination of Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara that can compete with the best. As a pairing they are comfortable at international level, and it should be an interesting battle with the Wasps duo of Rob Howley and Alex King.
The back row - with Jim Williams leading the attack - will be able to offer a competitive edge that no one other than Toulouse can offer. This will make it an interesting battle.
The only area I would consider Munster to be weaker than Wasps in is the front row - that's purely because of the experience of Trevor Leota and the two props alongside him.
If I was Warren Gatland, with my team being such firm favourites, I would be pointing to history to keep my players feet on the ground. It is very difficult for sides to win in Ireland, and while Munster are not playing at their home ground of Thomond Park, they will have significant support.
The crowd expectations, noise and atmosphere will be second to none, and that should be enough to ground the Wasps players.
It's certain to be a tough stand up battle between two fully committed sides that are both good enough to win the Heineken Cup.
