Leinster coach Matt Williams has no doubts that Munster will beat Biarritz in their European Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park on Sunday. He has twice plotted against the French side this season, once successfully at Donnybrook (359), before Leinster came unstuck in Biarritz last weekend.

"I sent Dec (Declan Kidney) all the tapes as soon as we got back. I honestly believe that Munster will beat them by about 20 points," Williams admitted. He stressed that he didn't want to create additional pressure for Munster but felt that the Irish provincial champions were a much more accomplished side.

"Biarritz are a very strong mauling side. They produce a lot of width in attack, right out to the wings, and then tend to push back inside through support runners. In that respect it is usually one of the flankers although they do tend to use their wingers, particularly Philippe Bernat Salles on the cut-back.

"They are definitely the best mauling side that we faced all season. They improved dramatically in that respect from the Donnybrook match to last weekend. They tend to get the ball positioned quickly and once they discover a chink can accelerate through.

"They have a lot of decent players without any outstanding individuals but having said that I was very impressed with their two flankers, who are fine players and their backrow as a unit is very fast around the pitch. (Frano) Botica might have a non-tackling clause in his contract but he kicks goals magnificently. They were nowhere near the best team we played.

"Nothing really stands out and scares you, unless you get an Italian referee. We didn't handle the underfoot conditions particularly well. It was the worst surface we played on this season. Actually Biarritz would probably be hoping for it to rain all week in Thomond Park. It would certainly help them far more than Munster.

"They are good scrummagers, typically French in that respect, courtesy of a huge pack. Their lineout is very competent. They only use one variation from the steady stream of ball to two and four and that is a long throw into midfield with the backs coming back towards where the lineout took place. The hooker is a very accurate thrower. Mind you John Langford is one of the best in the competition at knocking off opposition ball.

"Their back play is solid rather than exceptional and I would expect Ronan O'Gara to have a bigger influence on the game than his counterpart. Defensively we managed to break them quite easily, that is their initial line of defence but their scramble or secondary cover was very good. In that respect their backrow is very influential and powerful too.

"If the pitch is heavy then their chances will improve but Munster are better in too many areas. They (Biarritz) obviously deserve respect for reaching this stage of the competition and on a given day any team can win but Munster is definitely the stronger team."