The last time Iain Balshaw played in a cup final at Twickenham he lasted a mere six minutes before going off the field with a torn muscle.
Seven years on, and a stone's throw away from where he captained Leeds Tykes to their Powergen Cup victory over Bath in 2005, the former England World Cup winner is hoping to last a bit longer when he plays for Biarrtiz Olympique in their vital Amlin Challenge Cup Final against Toulon.
Ironically, the final is at the home of the last team to win the European title, Harlequins' Twickenham Stoop, and it will provide Biarritz with their last chance of making the cut for the Heineken Cup next season.
And for Balshaw, he hopes the occasion will be third time lucky after losing his last two finals with Gloucester (Anglo Welsh) and Biarritz (Heineken Cup).
"When we get out basics right, scrum, line-out and kicks-offs, and cut out the niggling handling errors that often creep into our game, I know we can compete with any team in Europe. We have shown that in the Heineken Cup in recent years," said Balshaw.
"So I'm not so much thinking about winning, but getting everything right in our game. If we can get enough possession to put together four or five phases I know we can cause Toulon problems.
"It's about all 15 of us working together as a team and not going off and doing things individually. When the errors start creeping in, then we put ourselves under pressure.
"It's about getting the little details right and everyone concentrating on their jobs.
"We have been pretty disappointed with our season overall - we expect higher standards than we have shown, especially in the Top 14. But the Amlin Challenge Cup Final provides us with a great opportunity to win some silverware and play in the Heineken Cup next season.
"It is the best competition in world rugby and we definitely want to be a part of it."
That is a sentiment echoed by Biarritz coach Jack Isaac, although the Australian also knows how much it will mean to his players to finally win a major European title.
"It is going to be a close encounter that is going to come down to the fine details. We have a lot of experience at this level, and we know Toulon very well, but we have to be accurate," said Isaac.
"Getting into the Heineken Cup is a huge incentive, but for the players it is about winning a final and winning a trophy. That's the main incentive."
