Brunel out to avenge English World Cup woe

Jacques Brunel has twice suffered defeat at the hands of France's bitter rivals England in World Cup semi-finals but on Sunday he hopes his Perpignan side avenge those losses by beating Northampton in the European Cup semi-final. The 57-year-old, who was assistant coach to Bernard Laporte for the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, is set for pastures new as he replace Nick Mallett at the helm of Italy following the World Cup later this year. However, before leaving he wants to give Perpignan their first European Cup to go with the national title he delivered in 2009, their first in 54 years, and if they oust the last remaining English club on the way it will be all the sweeter for Brunel. "The English really made me suffer when I was with the French side," admitted Brunel, who also guided Perpignan to the 2010 Top 14 final where they lost to Clermont. "I can't forget that I lost two World Cup semi-finals to them. I will remember that for a long time. "Both times we thought we were close and on for it, but it slipped out of our hands: the rain in Sydney, that tap tackle by (Lewis) Moody on (Vincent) Clerc in Paris." For both Brunel and Perpignan, who are in their third semi-final, it also represents their last chance of silverware this term as last weekend's 43-12 hammering by Toulon ended any hopes of featuring in the Top 14 title play-offs. Indeed both Brunel and the club are also motivated by the fact they have each reached a European final only to leave disappointed - Brunel in 1999 when Ulster beat Colomiers (21-6) and Perpignan downed 22-17 by Toulouse in 2003 "It is a double challenge for me and Usap (Perpignan). We have both of us failed in the final, but not together."Since losing to Toulon on Saturday, winning the European Cup has become our last chance of qualifying for next season's competition. It is crucial for the club," he said. Northampton, European Cup winners in 2000, have reason to be optimistic about their chances as Perpignan have never won on 11 visits to England, though, Brunel believes that woeful record can be ended this weekend. "Our draw at Leicester (22-22, in their pool match on December 18) balances the books a bit. We know we can do it. "These matches have a particular perfume surrounding them. We have a challenge to rise to and I think we have the means to achieve it. And I am only thinking about that."