Sale's hopes of setting up and all-English Heineken Cup semi-final against Bath were shattered by Biarritz in a dismal encounter at the Estadio Anoeta.

An electric atmosphere marked the build-up to the match with thousands of Biarritz fans descending on San Sebastian but the game was a huge anti-climax.

Fiji winger Sereli Bobo ran in the game's only try while the kicking of France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili supplied the rest of Biarritz's points.

England star Charlie Hodgson mustered two penalties to account for Sale's score and Sharks boss Philippe Saint-Andre is sure to view this as a missed opportunity.

Biarritz, Heineken semi-finalists for the last two seasons, looked far from invincible and nothing like the most dangerous team in Europe which Saint-Andre claimed they were.

The Sharks generated enough possession but their ambition was restricted by unforced errors, turnovers and a large penalty count in the first half.

They desperately missed the injured Andrew Sheridan and suspended Sebastien Chabal, lacking a ball-carrying forward to generate momentum up-front.

Biarritz now face Bath, who dispatched Leicester, in three weeks time but the Guinness Premiership outfit will be far from intimidated by the prospect of a trip to San Sebastian on today's evidence.

The tone of the game was set early on with a lengthy exchange of kicks marking a tense opening but once Biarritz won some quality ball they used centres Philippe Bidabe and Damien Traille to punch holes in Sale's midfield.

Bobo threatened down the left in the 11th minute, skipping past Mark Cueto, but he was blocked by Daniel Larrechea after chipping ahead.

Larrechea tried to disguise his obstruction as an extravagant charge down but referee Alan Lewis was having none of it and awarded a penalty which Yachvili nudged wide.

Elvis Seveali'i made inroads with one bullocking run but Sale were frequently falling foul of Lewis' whistle.

Yachvili was more successful in the 23rd minute but Hodgson replied when Biarritz were caught diving in following a fine tackle by Mark Taylor on Nicolas Brusque.

The French club soon restored their advantage, however, when Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe hit fly-half Julien Peyrelongue with a late tackle and Yachvili punished the error.

Biarritz, second in the French league, should have moved further ahead only for a mix-up between Bobo and Bidabe to waist a dangerous overlap.

But they made amends in the 33rd minute with a slick attack down the blindside seeing Traille supply the scoring pass to Fijian winger Bobo, who easily rounded Cueto for a second time.

Yachvili missed the conversion and then found himself yellow carded for some skulduggery on the floor.

Larrechea was off target with a drop-goal five minutes into the second half, leaving Sale pointless during Yachvili's stint in the sin bin.

The France scrum-half soon made an impact upon his return, poaching some loose ball and feeding Imanol Harinordoquy who was only kept out by a try saving tackle from Hodgson.

Sale set up a strong attacking position with their pack edging closer to the line but Cueto was unable to take Hodgson's long pass when the ball was released.

Yachvili missed a penalty and in the 61st minute Sharks boss Saint-Andre sent on some fresh legs in Barry Stewart and Richard Wigglesworth.

A magnificent run from substitute Valentin Courrent brought the small number of travelling supporters to their feet but Biarritz quickly recovered.

Hodgson slotted a penalty as the match entered injury time but there was little tension in the air and Biarritz's victory lap around the stadium drew the biggest cheer of the day.