Munster fail to mask flaws

The willpower and bravery of Imanol Harinordoquy, who played with a spectacular face mask, inspired Biarritz to an 18-7 win over Munster in San Sebastian yesterday and set up an all-French Heineken Cup final against Toulouse. Biarritz won thanks to six penalties from Dimitri Yachvili, the France scrum-half, who was named the man of the match.

Munster scored the only try of a game that was crippled by handling errors and poor field-kicking but the conversion was the only contribution of Ronan O'Gara, their goal-kicker. The final, to be played at the Stade de France on May 22, will complete a dominant year for the French in European rugby after their national team clinched a grand slam in the Six Nations.

* Compiled by Paul Radley, with agencies