Young: Expects side to rise to the occasion

The 2006 Heineken Cup runners-up arrive at Adams Park for a game that will see both clubs looking to briefly forget about dismal domestic form.

Wasps and Biarritz have little chance of securing top-flight European qualification next term unless they win this season's Challenge Cup.

And the emphasis will again be on youth as Wasps gain a welcome break from league action before resuming Premiership business against leaders Harlequins on Saturday week.

"We've had to blood a lot of young players this year, and there are youngsters at Wasps already with some great experience under their belt as a result," rugby director Young said.

"I have no doubt they will be relishing the chance to have a crack at Biarritz.

"Young players have no respect for big names, and our young players showed that last week. They went out and mixed it with some really experienced Gloucester players and did a great job, and I know they will relish the opportunity to do it again.

"Given the players we have registered and the players out injured, we can't make many changes to our side.

"But while we realise the Premiership is our bread and butter and key focus, we've reached a quarter-final and worked really hard to get there, so we are going to give it our very best.

"Biarritz are very physical up front, and they have some world-class players who can hurt any team.

"They have got themselves into a better league position now, and I am sure they will come here with a lot of determination."

Former Scotland full-back Hugo Southwell captains a Wasps side bolstered by prolific try-scorer Christian Wade's return from injury, with six players - Wade, Elliot Daly, Charlie Davies, Joe Launchbury, Matt Everard and Sam Jones - aged 21 or under.

France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy is among the Biarritz replacements, but former Premiership players Iain Balshaw and Erik Lund both start in a team that has scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili as its tactical general.