The second French Irish Heineken Cup semi final clash of the weekend sees a replay of the 2006 final as Munster travel to San Sebastian to take on Biarritz.

Munster won that game 23-19 to record their first ever European Cup win and are 10/3 (Totesport) to win the tournament for a third time this year.  Biarritz are 9/2 with Ladbrokes to lift the trophy for the first time.

With Biarritz having the home advantage there is little to choose between the two teams in the betting.  Sporting Bet go 5/4 for a Biarritz win while Munster are 4/5 with Skybet.

The form of both sides has been patchy since the quarter final weekend three weeks ago which can be largely put down to both coaches tinkering with their starting line ups, no doubt with possibly more than one eye on this game.

Biarritz’s two games since holding on against the Ospreys in the quarter final have seen a relatively strong selection going down to a 29-22 defeat against Metro Racing before an arguably weaker side lost to home 19-26 to Clermont last weekend.

Munster’s recent form has been slightly better in that a second string triumphed 18-12 at Connacht although a stronger line up lost to an international packed Ospreys side 15-11 last week.  Munster were missing Doug Hewlett and Keith Earls for the Ospreys game, both of whom are expected to play this weekend although Lions skipper Paul O’Connell will be absent through injury.

Even though Biarritz arguably have the game s danger man in winger Takudzwa Ngwenya who scored a sensational try in the last round, Munster with the likes of Ronan O’Gara and Donnacha O’Callaghan have the knowhow in these big games.  In tight games O’Gara has often been the difference in the European Cup and he could be the man to kick Munster to a 6-10 point win (5/1 Bet 365) and another final.