Ntamack Plays Down Favourites Tag

And the two-times Heineken Cup champ has insisted any talk of Twickenham is premature before this weekend's all-French affair in Bordeaux.

"We aren't thinking about the final at all because we have a very tough game ahead of us first," said Ntamack, who has collected winner's medals with Toulouse in 1996 and 2003. "Of course to be European champions is a great pleasure but we are just concentrating on the semi-final.

"We have a very hard job to do and you can be certain that Biarritz will be ready for us."

A chance to be crowned kings of Europe at the home of English rugby on May 23rd lies ahead for Saturday's victors.

But Ntamack knows Biarritz will take no prisoners as they seek to reach their first final.

"It is a very, very tough draw for us," added Ntamack. "We know them very well; they have a powerful scrum and lineout - not to mention their backs!

"They have a lot of pace and play the counter attack very well. They are an intelligent team and their coach (Patrice Lagisquet) can read the game very well. He will know if you can control the ball you can control Toulouse.

"They have had tough games against Sale and Llanelli so they will be ready to go against us."