Quins learn their lesson

Mike Brown: Scored two tries

Harlequins scored a stunning 31-24 Heineken Cup victory at Toulouse on Sunday to throw Pool Six of the competition wide open.

The Premiership leaders were handed a lesson in the wiles of the European game when the sides met just over a week ago - one they seem to have taken to heart if their performance at Stade Ernest Wallon was anything to go by.

Conor O'Shea's players took the game to their opponents, looking to move the ball around while also proving quick in the tackle, defending stoutly and pressuring Toulouse into making errors.

Mike Brown and Joe Gray scored early tries for them but Toulouse responded towards the end of the half and gained their reward when Yoann Maestri crossed.

Momentum

Even though Luke McAlister struggled with his kicking game - Jean-Marc Doussain eventually taking over - the four-time champions gathered momentum as the second half progressed and they took the lead.

But they failed to make their possession pay and after Quins hit back with Brown's second try, late penalties from Nick Evans handed them enough breathing space - even with a late yellow card for Nick Easter.

Toulouse opted for seven changes in all from the side that won last week's reverse fixture 21-10, while Harlequins made several themselves, with Joe Marler and Maurie Fa'asavalu both injured in the first match.

One switch for the home side was scrum-half Doussain, in for Luke Burgess, and he broke clear in the first minute, with McAlister then kicking their first penalty.

Romain Millo-Chluski then came in from the side allowing Evans to level, but McAlister missed a simple chance after Quins gave another penalty away at the scrum.

Toulouse had dominated the breakdown at the Stoop but it was Quins' efforts in that area which led to their first try. Having gained the turnover, Easter broke clear before a perfect chip through from Evans set up Brown in the left-hand corner.

Evans could not convert but further signs a surprise might be in store came when McAlister both lost possession and missed two penalties in quick succession.

Then came Quins' second try in the 23rd minute - a superbly worked effort started by Evans, whose high kick bounced the wrong way for the back-tracking Vincent Clerc.

Matt Hopper pounced and his team-mates spun a web of four quick passes as they closed on the line before Gray crossed, with Evans converting.

Toulouse's response was swift, with only Danny Care standing between Timoci Matanavou and the line. Clerc then crossed after a rousing crossfield move, but Yannick Jauzion's final pass was forward.

The half ended with Toulouse applying pressure. Quins withstood it until the 37th minute when a break started by McAlister ended with Jean Bouilhou bursting through the centre to set up Maestri.

Doussain added the extras, meaning Toulouse were five points behind at the interval. McAlister failed to reduce the deficit with a drop-goal attempt five minutes into the second half, but Doussain managed a penalty soon after.

With the wind in Toulouse's sails, William Servat almost handed them the lead in the 49th minute - George Robson making a last-ditch tackle - but Doussain managed it with the resulting penalty.

Brown was on hand to deny Clerc what would have been a fine try in the right-hand corner after an expansive Toulouse attack. A penalty eventually resulted and although Doussain missed, he made amends just past the hour.

Back ahead

However, against the run of play, Quins were soon back ahead again when Easter's offload set up Brown for his second. Evans added the extras and then kicked the visitors six points clear with a penalty.

Referee Alain Rolland had already spoken to Quins captain Chris Robshaw about the penalties they were conceding at the breakdown and when Easter infringed, the England number eight picked up a yellow card.

Their seven-man pack suffered from the resulting penalty, with Doussain pushed over although he could not put Toulouse ahead with the conversion.

Evans showed him how to do it with a penalty on 73 minutes and then made sure of the match with another nerveless three-pointer three minutes later.

Easter returned as Toulouse - seeking to avoid their first home defeat in 30 matches - pressed as anticipated, but Quins' defence summoned enough resistance to hold on.