Biarritz will be without vastly experienced centre Damien Traille for Saturday afternoon’s Heineken Cup final against Top 14 rivals Toulouse.
The big-booting centre-cum-out-half, 30, is expected to play no part in the Stade de France showdown having failed to recover from the arm injury which ruled him out of the semi-final victory over Munster.
In better news for the club, however, star Number 8 Imanol Harinordoquy – who sported a crazy mask in that game against Ronan O’Gara & Co – is expected to play against Toulouse.
Biarritz manager Laurent Rodriguez said: “Damien had to withdraw because playing would be too risky and could sideline him for a long time.
“Imanol is not in pain any more. We are confident he will be able to lead our team.”
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