Biarritz Olympique have been given a massive boost ahead of the Amlin Challenge Cup final against Toulon at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night (20.00) with talisman Imanol Harinordoquy going the full 80 minutes in the club's final domestic outing.
The club's inspirational captain and No 8 returned to action in the 26th and final round of Top 14 matches - a morale boosting 16-5 home win against Stade Francais Paris - after recovering from a knee injury.
"He had rested for two weeks because he really needed to do that but we will need a great Harinordoquy for the final on Friday, "said Director of Rugby Patrice Lagisquet.
"It is very important for Biarritz to win this final because the club is very attached to the Heineken Cup. We have been in two finals and also many times in the knock-out stages.
"It has played a big part in the development of the club and I cannot imagine Biarritz Olympique not playing the Heineken Cup next season. It would be a huge disappointment for the players and the fans - it would be a huge let down for all of us."
The Top 14 meetings between the clubs went with home advantage but Toulon finished the campaign at the weekend in third place after a 29-5 win at relegated Lyon Rugby while Biarritz ended in ninth place.
"Toulon are comfortably placed at third in the French championship. Last year they did not qualified for the play-off but it is obvious that with their squad and with their high quality rugby they are now among the best of the best of the French clubs," said Lagisquet.
"You always need a few years before you get that first title but, as their president Mourad Boudjellal said, they want to win a title as soon as possible to confirm their improvement. It is 20 years since they won the French championship and I remember the final against Biarritz in 1992.
"At that time I was playing with Bayonne but I remember that Toulon created a big surprise with young players like Yann Delaigue and Marc de Rougemont. Now Toulon have a very good scrum and defence with an outstanding player in Steffon Armitage, who is brilliant at winning turnovers.
"Plus they have so much talent in their back line with Jonny Wilkinson, Sebastien Tillous Borde, Matt Giteau, David Smith and Alexis Palisson. It will be difficult to stop all these world-class players. But we won't plan anything particular for Jonny although one thing is certain - that we must be very disciplined because with him against us indiscipline will be costly.
"With Benoit Baby out injured I must make some choices but I am lucky because I have plenty of possibilities. For a coach it is always difficult to make choices and unfortunately I won't be able to make everybody happy for what is the most important game of the season.
"We played London Wasps in the quarter-finals but a repeat of that performance on Friday and we won't win the final. We cannot give away two tries like that but a final is always surprising, everything and anything can happen.
"The only thing I am certain about is that it will be a very close game."