Munster To Mark 20-Year European Cup Final Anniversary With Biarritz Pre-Season Match
A view of Parc des Sports Aguiléra which will host the pre-season encounter between Biarritz Olympique and Munster in August ©INPHO/Manuel Blondeau
Munster Rugby and Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque have announced that the two teams will meet in a pre-season friendly on Friday, August 22 (kick-off 8pm local time), ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season.
This match, which will be held at Parc des Sports Aguiléra in Biarritz, will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the 2006 European Cup final which holds a special place in the hearts and minds of supporters of both sides.
On that day in Cardiff, Munster, who were captained by Anthony Foley, saw off Biarritz 23-19 thanks to tries from Trevor Halstead and Peter Stringer, and 13 points from the boot of Ronan O’Gara.
Also featuring for the province at the Principality Stadium back then was current Munster defence coach Denis Leamy.
A series of events will take place in Biarritz in the week building up to the game to celebrate the fixture, while the Basque club will also be having the official opening of their new synthetic pitch at their home ground.
Former Munster back rower James Coughlan, who made 139 appearances for Munster and played against Biarritz in the 2010 European Cup semi-final, is now the Pro D2 outfit’s director of rugby, and is looking forward to welcoming some familiar faces to the south west of France.
“It is with great delight and honour that I, in my capacity as directeur sportif of this great club, BOPB, have the opportunity to relive the incredible moments shared between Munster, my local team, and my daily passion, BOPB,” said Coughlan.
“Our teams share a long and rich history in European rugby, spanning nearly 30 years, and to celebrate the 2006 final with a festival of rugby is a wonderful way to reignite those cherished memories.
“More importantly, it provides us with a unique opportunity to forge new and lasting friendships for the years to come. I look forward to what promises to be an unforgettable occasion.”
Munster’s Head of Rugby Operations and interim head coach, Ian Costello, commented: “Munster and Biarritz have a special history with the teams facing each other four times in European competition between 2001 and 2010, which resulted in some great memories for both organisations.
“While recognising 20 years since that first European Cup success in Cardiff, this match provides our squad with a great opportunity to train for a week in France, and play against quality opposition to maximise preparation going into the new season.”