"I was impressed by what I saw," Harris said, "particularly when you know how many players were missing." The former Leeds Rhino is set to take his European bow in the third round of matches, against Glasgow, on 27 October, although in which position remains a matter for conjecture.Joubert turned down a Super 12 contract in his homeland next year to take on a fire-fighting job with Cardiff of Red Adair proportions. "We haven't had the same side together for two games in a row," he said. "But it doesn't matter what problems come our way, we can handle it. The players have shown a hell of a lot of guts and commitment."Neil Jenkins, the Heineken Cup's record points scorer, has not even been registered for the pool stage because he is unlikely to be fit before January. Four missed kicks against Northampton by the 19-year-old stand-in, Nick Robinson, suggested how costly Jenkins' knee injury might be. Gradually, though, the queue outside Cardiff's treatment room is shortening. Two back-row players, Dan McShane and Emyr Lewis, could be available for next weekend's second pool match, at Montferrand, the scene of Cardiff's heaviest European defeat, 46-13 two seasons ago.A clue to Joubert's upbeat approach – and that of his team – came in his summation of the week ahead "The first thing is to get all the bruises out.

As for Montferrand, I've heard it's a great pitch, with a great atmosphere. We've got to use that to our advantage."Even a European novice like Joubert knows that home wins are top of the agenda in the Heineken Cup. Cardiff, with only three Arms Park defeats of any variety in the last four years, continue to score heavily in that department. They have never failed to reach the knockout stages in Europe, and a final played on the green, green grass of home is a massive incentive to keep the run going.. The most unpredictable of results on the opening weekend of the Heineken Cup – yet so predictable that Bath, bottom of the Zurich Premiership, should come to the south-west corner of France and topple the current French championship leaders. The most unpredictable of results on the opening weekend of the Heineken Cup – yet so predictable that Bath, bottom of the Zurich Premiership, should come to the south-west corner of France and topple the current French championship leaders. However badly Bath are faring in domestic competition, it seems that they reserve their most special performances for the European Cup, and against Gallic sides in particular. Two seasons ago they ended a depressing run by robbing Toulouse of a two-year unbeaten home record.

Last season it was a Castres team in prime form which was brought to its knees, although qualification for the quarter-finals was by that time a forlorn hope for Bath.This time, a powerful Biarritz line-up in which the record-breaking Wallaby wing Joe Roff was making his bow in European competition, was expected to make Bath coach Jon Callard's brow even more deeply furrowed than usual.But there is something about a trip to France that brings out special performances from Bath, although a major factor in their resurrection was the return of fly-half Mike Catt, in action for the first time since limping out of the Lions tour against Australia A during the summer.His reappearance certainly gladdened the hearts of the hundreds of Bath supporters who had made the long trip to Biarritz.However half-back partner Gareth Cooper had not fully recovered from a bruised foot and had to be content with a place on the bench leaving the inexperienced Andy Williams in the No 9 shirt. Otherwise the backline was the same as that which ripped so many sides apart earlier in the year.Catt's influence was apparent from the very first minute as he delivered passes from either hand accurately and swiftly to the runners around him. It was as if he had never been away.The confidence visibly flooded back penetrating areas of the team which in recent weeks and especially in the capitulation at Leicester just seven days before, had been notably ineffective. The tackling was more committed, even savage, and the running full of purpose where previously it had been hesitant.Bath were given the best of starts when Matt Perry's left boot sent the ball through the posts from fully 45 metres and he added a second penalty on seven minutes after Bath stole a line-out from the French who reacted in a way that brought a sanction from referee Nigel Williams.It was an Englishman who pulled back three points for Biarritz on 17 minutes, former Newcastle winger Stuart Legg kicking a penalty from near halfway but when he was replaced soon afterwards by local hero Philippe Bernat-Salles, the kicking duties fell to Roff who missed a simple kick just before half-time.Roff finally found the target in the 53rd minute to pull the sides level after a late tackle on home centre Jack Isaac but such was the excellence of the tactical kicking from Catt and Perry that Bath spent the majority of the time in the French half.Biarritz were under severe pressure in the line-out and at one point Catt, given a free kick, opted to kick for touch in the confidence that either Steve Borthwick or Danny Grewcock would steal the French throw. Catt also used an equally effective tactic of rolling kicks deep into the French 22, often tantalisingly short of the try-line.Inevitably Biarritz became tired and frustrated in equal measure as Bath's superior fitness began to have an effect.