Balshaw helps Biarritz set up French affair as Irish falter

Two-time champions Munster were firmly in control after a slick try from Keith Earls, converted by Ronan O'Gara, helped them establish a 7-3 interval lead. But Biarritz, who included English trio Iain Balshaw, Magnus Lund and Ayoola Erinle in their starting line-up, ground them into submission in the second half.

They never seriously threatened the whitewash but with Munster falling foul of referee David Pearson's whistle and Yachvili kicking the penalties – six from six attempts – they crept in front.

Starved of possession and struggling to escape their own half, the Irish province faded from contention to ensure their search for a first win in San Sebastian continues. Biarritz have endured a poor season in the French Top 14 with their seventh-place finish not enough to qualify for next season's Heineken Cup, making yesterday's victory all the more crucial.

It was a scrappy match, marred by a succession of handling errors that were not entirely explained by the heavy rain that preceded the match.

The repeat of the 2006 final, which Munster edged 23-19 to win their first Heineken Cup title, failed to live up to expectation but remained tense until Biarritz pulled clear late on.

Brian O'Driscoll has urged Leinster to accept their reign as European champions is over as quickly as possible and seek consolation in the Magners League.

The patched-up Heineken Cup holders were dumped out of the competition with a 26-16 defeat by favourites Toulouse in Saturday's semi-final at Le Stadium.

Little comfort was taken from the knowledge they had gone down fighting, instead they departed France frustrated at having failed to do themselves justice. The Magners League is their only remaining chance of silverware – they top the table with one match left before the play-offs – and for O'Driscoll that offers some solace after their European heartache.

"You get used to the ring of being European champions but someone else is going to have the tag now and that's a disappointment," said the Ireland captain. "We've worked hard and have fallen short but there's still the Magners League so we have to take this disappointment and move on."

The match was finely poised at 9-9 until Toulouse ran in two tries in quick succession, the first when Yannick Jauzion crashed over in the 56th minute.

Man of the match David Skrela – who finished with 16 points – danced through Leinster's midfield shortly after to deliver the mortal blow. Jamie Heaslip dived in at the corner but the fightback was short-lived.

Jonny Wilkinson will play in his first European rugby final after 13 years of trying when Toulon face Cardiff Blues at Marseille's Stade Velodrome for the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Wilkinson, who lost three Challenge Cup semi-finals at Newcastle, scored 14 points in Toulon's 19-12 victory over Connacht on Friday.

The big-spending French outfit were joined in the final by Dai Young's Blues, who defied miserable conditions and a battling Wasps side to win 15-12 at Adams Park on Saturday.

Wilkinson has not won a club trophy since Newcastle lifted the Tetleys Bitter Cup in 2001 – he was water-carrier when the Falcons won it again in 2004 - but the England fly-half is now on course for a league and Challenge Cup double.