Holders Toulouse will delay naming their full side for today's European Cup semi-final against Biarritz (Sky Sports 3, kick-off 3 pm) until the last moment in the hope that Frederic Michalak will be fit.

One decision that has been taken, however, is the inclusion of David Gerard in the second row at the expense of Ireland's Trevor Brennan, who drops to the bench for the all-French clash at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, the winners of which will face Munster or Wasps.

Michalak, the France outhalf, has an injured ankle and coach Guy Noves has scrumhalf Sylvain Dupuy on standby.

Toulouse have already lost one of their France half-back pairing in Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who impressed in the Six Nations before injuring his thigh against Wales in March.

They also have a doubt over the fitness of captain and centre Emile Ntamack, who has a leg injury, and this may be why they have rejected the favourites tag that comes with being twice winners (1996, 2003).

"We are absolutely not the favourites and to believe we are would be a deadly trap," said Noves.

Biarritz have never appeared at this level, but the Basque side have shown in recent seasons, both on domestic and European levels, that they fear no one.

Coached by his former international Patrice Lagisquet, Biarritz were especially impressive in their 27-10 victory at Llanelli in the quarter-finals.

"Against Toulouse, you need to rely on your strengths and look for little details that they have not thought about," Lagisquet said.

Biarritz also have injuries with centres Marc Stcherbina and Jack Isaac absent, but have fine replacements in Martin Gaitan and Thibault Lacroix.

TOULOUSE: C Poitrenaud; V Clerc, E Ntamack or C Desbrosse, Y Jauzion, C Heymans; Y Delaigue, F Michalak or S Dupuy; P Collazo, W Servat, J-B Poux, F Pelous, D Gerard, J Bouilhou, F Maka, C Labit. Replacements: Y Bru, J Fiorini, R Millochlusky, I Maka, T Brennan, M De Paolis, C Desbrosse.

BIARRITZ: N Brusque; P Bidabe, M Gaitan, T Lacroix, J Marlu; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; P Balan, J Gonzalez, D Avril, H Manent, D Couzinet, S Betsen, O Tonita, T Lievremont (capt). Replacements: J Campo, M Fitzgerald, S Puleoto, O Nauroy, D Chouchan, L Mazas, P Bernat-Salles.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England).