Biarritz

One to watch: Magnus Lund

- 2008/9 Season Preview -

Club Details

Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque

Parc des Sports Aguiléra

Rue Cino Del Duca

64200 Biarritz

Stadium Capacity: 13,500

Website: www.bo-pb.com

Founded: 1913

Last time around: 6th Catastrophe. Last season was the worst Biarritz has seen in many a year. Unable to make it past the group phases of the Heineken Cup, BO just barely managed to qualify for this season's competition. With coach Patrice Lagisquet having already packed his bags, the nightmare came to an anti-climatic end with a home defeat to Castres on the last day of the French championship. On the same day the Basques waved goodbye to their most emblematic figure, Serge Betsen. "The end of a cycle" was the catch phrase in France at the time - Biarritz had better start pedalling!

This time? This year's main goal is simple: forget last year! There have been all kinds of positive noises coming out of Biarritz. A new President, a new préparateur physique, a handful of new players and above all a new mentality as last year's assistant coaches try to change the heavy atmosphere that hung over the squad. There have been whispers of Top 14 Finals and European play-offs from an optimistic few, but one can't help but feel that despite all the changes, the core of the BO squad can't punch with the heaviest of the heavyweights.

Coaches: Jacques Delmas and Jack Isaac are not new brooms, so it's unlikely they will sweep clean. With Patrice Lagisquet gone, his former assistants will be allowed more freedom to play expansive rugby but a leopard doesn't change its spots overnight and Biarritz can be expected to continue basing their game on solid defence - the best in the league last year. Delmas has promised to bring "humility and a taste for hard work" back to the Basque coast.

One to watch: Magnus Lund has been shipped in from Sale to fill the void left by Serge Betsen. Those are some very, very big shoes to fill but Lund is a class player. The talented loose forward can feel a little aggrieved not to have made England's elite player squad and Biarritz is exactly the kind of place where his skills will be allowed to shine.

Final 2008/9 league position prediction: 5th

In: Fabien Barcella (prop, Auch), Magnus Lund (loose forward, Sale), Campbell Johnstone (prop, Crusaders), Valentin Courrent (Toulouse).

Out: Patrice Lagisquet (coach), Denis Avril (prop, Bayonne), Julien Dupuy (scrum-half, Leicester), Denis Lison (centre, Grenoble), Jimmy Marlu (wing, Bordeaux), Serge Betsen (loose forward, Wasps), Steeve Malonga (loose forward, Castres), Vladimir Balan (prop, Northampton), George Jgenti (prop, Aurillac), Hedley Wessels (prop, Dax), Benoît Lecouls (prop, Toulouse).

Colours: Red, white and green.

Tickets: 16-31 Euros

Travel connections: Parc des Sports Aguiléra lies in between the city and the Airport.

By car: From the any of the highways approaching Biarritz (A10 from the North; A9 from the East or A1 from the South) take the "centre" exit and follow the signs to the "aéroport" and then follow the signs to "Aguiléra."

By air: The Aéroport International de Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne is serviced by a number of airlines. The stadium is just 2km away - follow the signs to "Aguiléra." For schedules www.biarritz.aeroport.fr

By train: Check www.sncf.fr for reservations. The station is in the city centre and 2km from the stadium.

By bus: Take line one, stop at the 'Parc d'hiver' station if travelling towards Bayonne or at the 'Chassin' station if travelling towards Biarritz.