Betsen Fronts Biarritz Bid

"This game offers us a chance to redeem ourselves after getting knocked out in the semi-final by Toulouse last year. But the knock-on effects on the club as a whole are really important too.
"We realised just how big this all is when we went to San Sébastien. Since that quarter-final against Munster there has been a lot of talk about the Basque Country and Biarritz. Our town has become famous and if we can make it even more so, then all the better!
"When I think about maybe winning the Heineken Cup with Biarritz I know it has a massive significance for me. When you have been with the same club for 15 years, the professional recognition you get for victories such as this European challenge is what we have dreamed about for as long as we can remember.
"It's our quest for the Holy Grail. To bring it home would be fabulous.
"And to play against another French team at this stage of the competition is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage - we just have to give 200%.
"Both Biarritz and Stade Français have shown some high quality rugby to get this far while Stade Français are a team who we have played many times in the French Championship and we do know each other pretty well.
"Stade Français have got a few players we need to be aware of. No 8 Shaun Sowerby is really mobile around the pitch and marks extremely well. Brian Liebenberg in the centre is really powerful and obviously Christophe Dominici plays a key role and is a fantastic player. What is most impressive, however, is that they play pretty well together and get around the pitch.
"And I would certainly prefer to travel to Paris instead of Leicester. We had two outstanding performances against them in the Pool stages matches, two matches we won, certainly with a bit of luck, but mostly with an enormous amount of hard work with our coaches.
"To play against Leicester required a massive amount of physical and mental preparation. They are, without a doubt, the in-form team at the moment. They have a very experienced team and are strong in every area.
"As far as Biarritz is concerned, we are playing really well at the moment. But I think it has been a logical progression over the last few seasons and to get to the semi-final was our minimum objective for this year's Heineken Cup. "Obviously that is not enough for us now. I know we can always do better and go further. We need to prove this on Saturday against Stade Français.
"What's more, playing at Parc des Princes brings back some great memories and it has given us even more motivation. We want to produce a performance worthy of this stadium which has an almost mythical significance for all the players."