This meant that Biarritz returned home without a point in the match or a point for the match while Bourgoin's four points kept them safe in sixth place on France's Top 14. Not only were they pointless, but loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy managed two yellow cards which became a red card.

Biarritz trekked across the South of France to play Bourgoin, knowing that it was not going to be an easy ride. After all they had managed to beat the Berjalliens only 12-6 in Biarritz and at home their record was a good one.

Apart from that there was little difference in the Top 14 classification. Biarritz were fifth, Bourgoin sixth, admittedly with eight points between them.

If Biarritz suspected that it was not going to be easy, they were right. It was not easy.

Both sides were missing players. For the home side the loss on Thursday of flyhalf Benjamin Boyet was a massive blow. He is the third highest scorer in this season's Top 14. In addition Bourgoin were without Mickaël Forest, Julien Pierre, Julien Frier, Aurélien Diotallevi, Augusto Petrilli and Romain Payan.

Biarritz were minus Manuel Carizza, Sébastien Tillous-Borde, Denis Lison, Kas Lealamanua, Steeve Malonga and Steve Hall.

Of course, there was a warm reception for Biarritz who are the reigning French champions, but as Serge Betsen remarked: "We are the champions of France, but that was last year."
 
 It was a still night but cold at 2°C but there were some 9 000 spectators when Biarritz kicked off. Bourgoin threatened from the start and could well have scored from the first penalty of the match, but Boyet's replacement, Sébastien Laloo, missed the kick at goal. But, as the home side continued to dominate possession and territory, Laloo was  successful with a kick from in front of the posts.
 
 Just before the end of the match Harinordoquy aggravated his offence when he aimed a punch at an opponent and the second yellow card became a red card.
 
 This setback seemed to spur the Basques on and they got more and more of the ball. But when Imanol Harinordoquy was penalised for holding onto the ball on the ground and given a yellow card for his infringement, Laloo made the score 6-0 in Bourgoin's favour.
 
 Laloo then goaled a third penalty while the Basques' only scoring opportunity was a drop attempt by Julien Peyrelongue which was just wide.
 
 Just before half-time Nicolas Brusque injured a shoulder and was replaced.
 
 Half-time came with the home side leading 9-0 to the joy of the home supporters. And that is how the score was destined to stay.
 
 The second half continued in much the same vein as the first with Biarritz losing possession and Bourgoin dominating. But Biarritz had an early change to score when Romain Cabannes did well to send Sereli Bobo running. The visitors continued to attack but were thwarted by Bourgoin's aggressive defence.
 
 Bourgoin broke out and Laloo was close with a drop before Biarritz had a concerted attack which stretched the home guard. Again Bobo was the danger man.
 
 Still it was Bourgoin who could have increased their lead but again Laloo missed.

Scorer:

For Bourgoin:
Pens: Laloo 3

Teams:

Bourgoin: 15 Florian Denos, 14 Rudi Coetzee, 13 Guillaume Bousses, 12 Mathieu Nicolas, 11 Jean-François Coux, 10 Morgan Parra, 9 Sébastien Laloo, 8 Brice Monzeglio, 7 Julien Bonnaire (captain), 6 Bryce Williams, 5 Julien Pierre, 4 Wessel Jooste,  3 Benoît Cabello, 2 Olivier Milloud, 1 Pablo Cardinali.
Replacements used: 16 Olivier Sourgens, 17 Rémy Vigneaux, 18 Carlo-Antonio Del Fava, 19 Marek Rennie
     
Biarritz 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Martin Gaitan, 13 Romain Cabannes, 12 Sireli Bobo, 11 ,Julien Peyrelongue 10 Nicolas Brusque, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Thomas Lièvremont, 7Imanol Harinordoquy , 6 Mohamed Dridi, 5 Jérôme Thion, 4 David Couzinet,  3 Benoît Lecouls, 2 Benoît August (captain), 1 Denis Avril.
Replacements used: 16 Benjamin Noirot, 17  Petru-Vladimir Balan, 18 Santiago Dellapè, 21  Benjamin Dambielle, 22 Marcelo Bosch 

Referee: Joël Jutge
Touch judges: Patrick Dellac, Jean-Paul Vermande
Assessor: Alain Fernandez
Goal judges: Alain Monteux, Salem Attala