Late bonus for Toulouse

Toulouse are top of Pool Six after claiming their second straight win, a 33-6 bonus-point victory over Leinster at Stade Ernest Wallon.

It was sweet revenge for the French giants, beaten in the quarter-finals on their own patch by the Irishmen two years ago, but top spot in a group that also contains Leicester is probably more of a reward.

This was nothing like the feast of rugby of that legendary quarter-final, probably the best game of rugby this competition has witnessed, but it had its moments - at least for the men in pink - after a dour first half.

Neither side was able to create many attacks of note as Felipe Contepomi and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde kicked six points apiece before the break.

The Argentinian - such a thorn in the side of France in their two recent World Cup meetings - kicked two top quality long-range penalties, while Elissalde slotted a regulation penalty and a neat drop-goal.

Thwarted

Toulouse had the better of possession and territory but only threatened a try twice and both times they were thwarted by Robert Kearney.

First a Clement Poitreneau burst down the left was well-marshalled by the young winger, then he made a width of the pitch run to deny Malell Kunavore after a neat step from Poitreneau set up the chance.

It was a brave first half effort from an under-pressure Leinster - particularly up front - but just a minute into the second half a wonderfully-worked try blew the game wide open.

Cedric Heymans collected a chip over the top and bamboozled Girvan Dempsey with a clever dummy before flicking a delightful one-handedd pass to Poitreneau on his inside, who trotted in to score.

Charge down

Valentine Courrent added a penalty to stretch the lead to eight points and on 54 minutes Kearney made a rare mistake, delaying his clearance kick a fraction too long and allowing Yannick Nyanga to charge down. The French international collected and sent Courrent in by the posts.

Toulouse's third try was probably their best - neat hands and Byron Kelleher's clever chip through a flat Leinster defence setting up a deserved score for Heymans.

Leinster were on the rack and with 15 minutes left Toulouse looked certain to claim a fourth try and a bonus point. Agonisingly for Leinster they survived until the third minute of injury time when Vincent Clerc scored with a powerful close-range burst. In what will surely be a desperately tight group, that could be vital.