Rugby – Team News:With Paul O'Connell's absence flagged well in advance, there are no surprises in the Munster side to meet Biarritz as coach Tony McGahan welcomes back Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling and Keith Earls from the injured list and Nick Williams is fit to take his place on the bench.
"Doug and Ian came through Wednesday's session well and we'll see how they go later on in the Captain's Run," McGahan said. "Obviously we're happy that both have managed to get themselves ready in time. It's a tribute to their hard work and professionalism and also to the Munster medics and fitness staff that they are in the side.
"Players of their experience are crucial in games like this and this is a game that is going to require that and a lot more to win."
Munster’s South Africa centre, Jean de Villiers, acknowledged that O’Connell’s loss will be a blow for the two-time champions but believes Biarritz will miss inspirational centre Damien Traille every bit as much.
"Of course Paul will be missed,” he said today. “He's a great player, a great leader. But we have the players, the experience to cope. One of the things I have learned through my career is that everyone can be replaced.
“Yes we'll miss him without a doubt but I think Micko's (O’Driscoll) been fantastic in the role he's played along with Donncha (O’Callaghan) obviously and the leadership abilities he's shown along with Rog (Ronan O’Gara).
"I think it'll be the same for them with Traille. He's a fantastic player. I've played against him at international level so it'll be a big blow for them. We know their defensive structure will stay much the same I don't think they'll change their whole game plan because one player is out."
For Biarritz, Imanol Harinordoquy will require a protective face mask to protect a broken nose for Sunday’s contest at the Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian. Karmichael Hunt gets the nod at outhalf with Arnaud Mignardi partnering former Wasps centre Ayoola Erinle in midfield.
Biarritz Olympique v Munster
Sunday 3.15pm Irish time, Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian
Biarritz Olympique: I Balshaw; T Ngwenya, A Mignardi, A Erinle, J Gobelet; K Hunt, D Yachvili; E Coetzee, B August, C Johnstone; J Thion (capt), T Hall; M Lund, W Lauret, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: R Terrain, F Barcella, R Hugues, M Carizza, F Faure, V Courrent, J Peyrelongue, P Bidabe
Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, J de Villiers, I Dowling; R O'Gara (capt), T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, N Williams, N Ronan, P Stringer, L Mafi, S Deasy
Referee: Dave Pearson