Biarritz 43 Saracens 13: Diamond's depleted Sarries in disarray after six-try blitz

Compared to the achievements of their north London rivals Wasps, Saracens may as well be Brentford to their Arsenal. Sarries have never reached the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup and their supporters who made the long journey here were left wondering if they will ever get another chance.

In no man's land in the Guinness Premiership, they are unlikely to qualify for Europe's blue riband event in the near future. Halfway through the season and Sarries have very little left to play for, except self -respect. There was not much of that in evidence at the Parc des Sports Aguilera where Biarritz, who lead the French championship having won it last year, scored six tries to one to earn a home quarter-final.

Drawn in Pool Four, which was not so much a pool of death as one of tranquillity, Saracens' hopes of making a lasting impression were raised considerably when they beat Biarritz 22-10 at Watford. It seems a long time ago. Since then it has been second class all the way.

They should have beaten Ulster in Belfast but threw it away and here, for one of the biggest matches in their history, they were in no fit state to mount a serious challenge. In their defence they have a horrendous injury list, which has left them badly exposed.

Both sides used all seven replacements but whereas Biarritz were able to bring on players of the quality of Serge Betsen, the cupboard for poor old Sarries was almost bare. They had two young novice props on the bench and, in all, three hookers in their 22. One of them, Matt Cairns, came on for the wing Ben Johnston and another, Andy Kyriacou, replaced the Irish international Shane Byrne.

"I'm afraid to say it was like men against boys," said Steve Diamond, the Saracens coach, and nobody had to ask who were the junior partners. Somebody even closer to the action said that at times it reminded him of an Under-13s game as Saracens, given a penalty, were in disagreement as to what to do with it.

Their cause was not helped by yellow cards for Simon Raiwalui and Dan Scarbrough. A minute before half-time the Fijian lock hit Jerôme Thion with a high challenge and while Raiwalui was in the sin bin Biarritz scored 10 points without reply. Thion, a France international, suffered a rib injury and did not reappear. His insurance company must be worried. He had only just recovered from a fractured larynx, inflicted during the Test against South Africa last autumn. Still, in every other regard it was the Basques who did the bashing.

"In terms of our discipline we shot ourselves in the foot," said Hugh Vyvyan, the Saracens captain. To make matters worse, Thomas Castaignède disappeared after 23 minutes, aggravating a hamstring injury. He probably should not have started but felt that under the circumstances he had little option. He will almost certainly be ruled out of France's first game in the Six Nations Championship against Scotland at Murrayfield a week on Sunday.

The departure of such a high-profile player as Castaignède was almost as dispiriting as the appearance, in civvies, of Andy Farrell, Sarries' huge signing from rugby league who damaged a toe in pre-season training and is not expected to be seen in action before April. As for Biarritz, they are still after Brian O'Driscoll and say they could get him after the World Cup next year.

Biarritz: Tries Martin Aramburu, Gobelet, August, Brusque, Bidabé, Peyrelongue; Conversions Yachvili 4, Dupuy; Penalty Yachvili. Saracens: Try Yates; Conversion Jackson; Penalties Jackson 2.

Biarritz: N Brusque; J-B Gobelet, P Bidabé, F Martin Aramburu (D Lison, 44), S Bobo (B Dambielle, 75); J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili (J Dupuy, 68); D Balan (K Lealamanu'a, 57), B August (N Benjamin, 63), B Lecouls, J Thion (O Olibeau, 40), D Couzinet, T Dusautoir, T Lièvremont (capt; S Betsen, 63), I Harinordoquy.

Saracens: M Bartholomeusz; B Johnston (M Cairns, 66), T Castaignède (K Sorrell, 23), D Harris (D Scarbrough, 52), T Vaikona; G Jackson, M Rauluni (A Dickens, 60); K Yates (A Liffchak, 69), S Byrne (A Kyriacou, 69), B Broster (T Mercey, 73), S Raiwalui, K Chesney, B Russell, H Vyvyan (capt), D Seymour.

Referee: A Lewis (Ireland).