Dean Ryan has warned his Gloucester players not to attempt to chase a bonus point from the start of tomorrow's Heineken Cup pool finale in Biarritz.

Gloucester have had their quarter-final qualification destiny taken out of their hands following Sunday's 16-12 home defeat to 14-man Cardiff Blues.

They can still reach the last eight, but in reality must beat Biarritz with a four-try bonus point and then hope other results – particularly those involving Wasps, Toulouse and Ospreys – go their way over the weekend.

The best two pool runners-up qualify for the last eight, and Gloucester are currently the fourth-ranked side, with 15 points compared to the 16 Ospreys and Wasps have and the 18 Toulouse have gained.

And head coach Ryan said: "We can only go out and try to win the game. If we are winning the game well then we may have some decisions to make to see if we can get a bonus point.

"But I think it's suicidal to think you can go to Biarritz and obtain a bonus point without laying a platform and winning the game first. That is how we have got to approach the game.

"If we felt flying out of the blocks would give us five points, we would do it in every game. But you have got to build a game, hold high field position and take your opportunities – that won't be any different this week."

Biarritz, Heineken Cup runners-up in 2006, do not appear to be the force they once were, even with a squad containing such international stars as former Gloucester scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili, Nicolas Brusque, Imanol Harinordoquy and Damien Traille.

They sit ninth in the Top 14, only 10 points above bottom club Toulon yet 27 points adrift of leaders Toulouse.

But Ryan believes their inability to reach the last eight in Europe could make them a more difficult opponent at Parc des Sports Aguilera tomorrow.

"History and experience says their situation in the pool will probably make them more dangerous," said Ryan. "A side of that quality playing without real fear can be extremely dangerous on their home ground."

Ryan will wait on the fitness of full-back Olly Morgan (finger) and centre Mike Tindall (dead leg), both of whom missed last weekend's defeat against Cardiff, before naming his team this lunchtime.

But he is unlikely to be able to select injured flankers Peter Buxton (ankle) and Andy Hazell (knee).