Munster must haul themselves down to the south of France for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup on the first weekend in April and the daunting task of taking on second favourites Biarritz Olympique. That scenario presented itself early yesterday afternoon as Stade Francais ran away with their final pool game against Gloucester at Kingsholm.

The hope had been that Gloucester might turn the French side over and thus ensure that Munster ended up fourth seed in which case they'd face had a home quarter final against Newcastle Falcons.

However, from an early stage of the Kingsholm encounter, it was evident that the home side had neither the stomach nor the spirit for the French who ran out 27 point to nil winners.

So Munster and their Red Army must once again muster and prepare to march on the green fields of France for arguably their toughest engagement in Heineken Cup history. When they completed that marvellous victory over Toulouse in Bordeaux back in 2000,there were those who suggested that Toulouse had suffered for their complacency. This time around there will be no such luxury afforded Anthony Foley's side.

Biarritz have emerged from the toughest pool, seen off the cup holders Wasps, beaten Leicester home and away include 15 French and 2 Argentinean international in their squad.