Perennial European flops the Ospreys will be looking to rid themselves of their underachievers tag when they face Biarritz in a game which is taking place in the Basque region of San Sebastian in Northern Spain.

A side containing the likes of Grand Slam winners Mike Philips, James Hook, Shane Williams and Ryan Jones should have made more of an impact on the European stage by now but recent domestic form suggests that they will do well to overcome odds of  5/2 (Sporting Bet) to reach their first European semi final. 

A comprehensive defeat at the hands of Newport Gwent Dragons before a less than convincing victory over rivals the Scarlets courtesy of Tommy Bowe’s last gasp interception try is not the ideal preparation for an away tie in Europe.

Biarritz, helped by one of the players of the 6 Nations in Inamol Harinordoquy topped a pool containing Gloucester, Glasgow and Gwent Dragons which is hardly the toughest trio in European rugby but Biarritz did score a total of 131 points in their three home games which rightly makes them favourites at 4/9 (bet365).  However, Biarritz have hardly been in sparkling form themselves of late, going down 19-14 away to Perpignan in their last outing to leave them languishing at 9th in France’s Top 14 competition. 

Given both sides lack of recent form and the Ospreys tendency to underperform when it counts a narrow win for either side could be on the cards.  Biarritz by 1-5 points is 5/1 with Skybet while the away win by the same margin is 6/1 (BetFred).