Nine points: Toby Flood
Leicester won one of the most nerve-racking Heineken Cup ties in recent memory on Sunday as they overcame Toulouse 9-5 in snowy conditions.
There was drama until the final whistle at Welford Road as the Tigers were made to sweat in icy cold weather but ultimately held on to prevail.
Leicester will travel to Toulon in the quarter-final while Toulouse drop into the Amlin Challenge Cup where they face a trip to USA Perpignan.
However, the French giants will no doubt wonder how they lost this clash in England after failing to convert seventeen points from the kicking tee.
Leicester came out of the blocks in hot form and almost caught Toulouse napping when Niall Morris denied himself an early try when losing the ball from his grasp just inches from the right touchline. However, Leicester did earn some reward for their strong start when Toby Flood knocked over a tough penalty from wide out.
From ten minutes until twenty though, Toulouse suddenly were in the ascendancy but missed penalties from Lionel Beauxis (2) and Luke McAlister handed Leicester a real lifeline as points were always going to be critical playing in such inclement weather. In truth, Beauxis was having a poor start.
The French kicking duo were not alone in missing from the tee though as Flood missed from distance soon after before making amends on the 32nd minute, nervously side-footing one over to double the Tigers lead before the hosts were holding their breath for a very different reason close to their own whitewash. The moment arrived via the destructive Louis Picamoles who, after a long TMO query, was adjudged to have been held up over the line.
And Leicester certainly made the most of that call as Flood kicked a 50-metre penalty after Gregory Lamboley pulled down recently re-signed Tiger Geoff Parling at a line-out.
Guy Noves had obviously given his players a tongue lashing in the relative warmth of the dressing rooms and his side came out looking to put points on the board, once again their pack running hard. However, the choice from Beauxis to look for a drop-goal came to zero.
Home relief was not to last though as when Tait was beaten by McAlister's high tester, Yoann Huget was first to react and grounded over the line for a 9-5 scoreline. Beauxis was back on kicking duty for Toulouse but again it was to be an unsuccessful shot from the 10.
Toulouse's kicking woes continued going into the final quarter as McAlister was off-target with his second attempt but there was a feeling that Leicester were struggling to deal with the gameplan, which mixed physicality with the kick-chase. Welford Road was eerily quiet.
Leicester had to survive ten minutes down to fourteen men late on as Flood was sent to the sin-bin after having a kick charged down and knocking the ball on to stop a Toulouse attack.
But the gritty Tigers were in no mood to let victory slip away after having missed out on the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for two of the last three seasons and they held on to ensure they topped Pool Two and set up a mouth-watering clash against Toulon in April.
The scorers:
For Leicester:
Pen: Flood 3
Yellow card: Flood (67 mins)
For Toulouse:
Try: Huget
Leicester: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Niall Morris, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Logovi'i Mulipola, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Jordan Crane, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 George Ford, 23 Scott Hamilton.
Toulouse: 15 Clement Poitrenaud, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Gregory Lamboley, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 Yohan Montes, 19 Romain Millo-Chluski, 20 Yannick Nyanga, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Jean Bouilhou, 23 Maxime Medard.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Mark Patton (Ireland), Olly Hodges (Ireland)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Comments
rugbylover says...
@nabberuk
Look, Leicester would have played [!] it like that, irrespective of the conditions.
It was merely white rain. It's a winter game old boy.
Hoisting the ball - hit & hope.
Standard.
Toulouse lost it. No kicker.
Posted 17:40 21st January 2013
DrDeath says...
@makemehappy
Cheerleading for "Adam" now that "Gethin" has slipped down the rankings these days??
Likely Cole in pole position for tighthead at present (although pretty close)-keep up your hard work!
Posted 16:58 21st January 2013
APV1 says...
@ rugby_rockstar - Hear! Hear!
And it's good to know that you agree with me, should we need a replacement for "Glass Jaw" (nice touch, by the way!) - Attwood.
You did mean Attwood, didn't you?
(Don't agree with you on the last bit though. But that's a different debate for a different thread.)
Posted 15:22 21st January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Not sure what the neutrals thought, but from a Tiger's perspective, this was the match of the season. So exciting! I really got my teeth into this one.
I remarked last week that Leicester set peice is fantastic. it took apart the ospreys and it's taken apart Toulouse too. Waldrom, Cole, Parling and Deacon were outstanding yesterday. At 33 years old I see the logic in leaving Louis deacon out of the england squad but you can;t fault his form at all. If "Glass jaw Lawes" snaps again then I know who my replacement would be.
This was the sort of game that defined why th euro-cup is the best club competition in the world. I really hope the idiot brigade that's trying to ruin it just watches all 6 rounds alll over again becasue they;d be forced to admit it certainly ain't broke and certainly don't need fixing. Stick to your guns Celts. The Anglo-french arguments have been shot to ribbons by the quarterfinal line up. Good rugby has been rewarded.
Posted 13:32 21st January 2013
JamieTheProp says...
The debate regarding who was the better team is a mute one - there is only one stat in the world that matters - the score!
One team is in the QF and the other isn't - end of argument.
And regarding English teams being boring - I think they have been for the last few years but that is changing - as APV outlined lots of tries from English clubs this weekend.
Also England, while traditionally not the most exciting team, look to be developing a game that is more expansive and attractive. Seems silly to make comments like that rugbylover before we have seen what the team become - you may be eating your words come 2015 - we shall see!
Leicester did well yesterday but they will struggle with Toulon I think. Although the weekend does show they can be beat if you get into their faces and make them play on the back foot.
I really do fancy Quins to do it this year though - they look like they have several effective ways of playing with a plan A, B or C - fingers crossed!
Would be great to have an English winner - might shut a few people up and provide an impetus for the England team.
Exciting times.
Posted 13:13 21st January 2013
APV1 says...
@ rugbylover - "very little skill", eh? So they managed to kick their goals - a skill - but Toulouse didn't. And you claim that English rugby lacks skill.
Do you actually understand the game and watch it? Have you ever actually pulled on a pair of boots and run out? If so, you have a very warped mind, as you seem to have distorted every memory.
To play expansive running rugby in the sleet and snow would have been daft and foolish. So they didn't.
How did "England's most boring side", Saracens, do this weekend? 5 tries you say? From an English team, you say?
And my team, Bath - how did we get on in a snowy Rec? 9 tries you say? From an English team?
And how did England beat NZ not so long ago? Was it all tight play and kicks?
Get my drift (see what I did there?)? You play the conditions and the team in front of you. Toulouse are one of club rugby's greatest teams and to beat them, in whatever manner, is an achievement.
Posted 12:03 21st January 2013
Frooschman says...
I don't know who the kicking coach is at Toulouse but I'm guessing he's spent the last few hours putting his CV together. You simply can't go into a game in those sort of conditions without a kicker. I mean it's just so fundamental!
Leics were gritty and up for it but there seemed a difference in class between the two teams. Toulouse had a little more magic about them - for all the good it did them. I think Toulon will be a far greater challenge for the Tigers if only because JW will not be so charitable!
Posted 08:40 21st January 2013
lawynd says...
Leicester were poor but Toulouse were playing Saracens rugby without a goal kicker...not a smart move. True to form, Clancy attempted to whistle Leicester off the park with his 'officiguessing'...still, you can always try and win that holiday home in the south of France again next year, George.
Posted 23:27 20th January 2013
papachinzo says...
hmm, the top two teams in Europe dumped into the Amlin... it all seems a bit scripted these days.
Posted 22:40 20th January 2013
Lucasrg says...
Last game for Castro in the HC this year?!...and next one against the Tigers?! o.O
Posted 21:01 20th January 2013
nabberuk says...
@rugbylover
Stop being a plank, we're you expecting running rugby with weather like that!
Posted 20:59 20th January 2013
Greyprop says...
HC referees need to be taken to task for failing to uphold the laws regarding:-
1. Players going off their feet at the ruck.
2. Sealing off at the ruck.
3. Entering rucks from the side.
4. Players going to ground in the lineout on opponents throw to kill the drive.
I'm not pointing the finger at any particular team, I've watched a lot of rugby this weekend and this type of play is endemic in the matches I've seen. It's killing the game and spoiling the show for the paying public.
Posted 20:58 20th January 2013
Nastyned says...
Rugbylover- yawn, just like the NZ game, totally lacking skill. I would like to see any side play an expansive skilful game in today's conditions NB Toulouse didn't exactly play a fast moving highly skilled game either and they're full of "flair" players.
Posted 20:42 20th January 2013
makemehappy says...
The worst Tigers team I've seen for a while. Could have lost their last 3 (and probably should have too).
Why would anyone think that all the talk is about what happened in the tunnel LOL!! This is rugby for god's sake!
Poor refereeing display at the scrum. All penalties when the team was going forward were to Toulouse. All penalties for collapsing, to Leicester. (well almost all). Clearly shows a ref who wants to do what he can for the home team and not referee the scrum. Not a good game for Cole - did his Lions chances no good whatsover.
Posted 20:18 20th January 2013
EnglishTLS says...
T.his is the final straw in the decline of Toulouse as a force in European Rugby. Fielding so many international players and coming second is not acceptable. The Toulouse forwards did everything they could to create the platform and then the backs, who have not functioned for a very long time, conspired to lose the game and put this once proud club out on the championship. There is a very clear issue with the coaching staff and leadership on the field. Get a grip, lose the "never have been" coaches and spend some of that sponsors money on a real number 10, after all Toulon only have 3 on their books!
Posted 19:33 20th January 2013
froggy73 says...
The better team lost, although you can't expect a win when you have so poor kicking so it's more a deserved loss for Toulouse than a deserved win for Leicester.
I am quite sure Picamoles got the try, but I agree the proof was missing on the TMO; we could just assume - so just bad luck. Leicester got away with murder, but again, Toulouse should only be furious at themselves.
Posted 19:28 20th January 2013
rugbylover says...
Memo to Toulouse ...............if you want to win, you must kick your goals. Though I must admit Leicester ought to have scored a try at the opening. Youngs played it to perfection & Flood's goal-kicking was immaculate.
Well done Leicester. A typically gritty English performance - a true hallmark of English rugby. Lots of honest endeavour & very little skill. Perfect weather for it. Pray for snow & sleet for the 6 nations.
sigh.
Posted 18:39 20th January 2013
ruck_man7 says...
Horrible kicking display by Toulouse in treacherous conditions. Picamole was outstanding, tough call on his disallowed try. Disheartening to see Mafi succumb to a nasty pulled hammy.
Toulouse was the better team, execution was a disaster. Leicester played with a lot of heart and guts in front of a passionate home crowd at Welford Rd.
Posted 17:58 20th January 2013
Bambo says...
The better team kicked the game away.
Leinster and Toulouse out and in to the Amlin!
Posted 17:06 20th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Toulouse will be furious with poor kicking. But all the talk will be of their refusal to shake hands and tunnel for Tigers. Poor form but not the biggie it will be turned into.
Posted 17:02 20th January 2013