Key scorer: Clement Poitrenaud
Toulouse began their Heineken Cup assault with a 21-17 home victory over Gloucester, but the Cherry and Whites took what could be a key bonus-point.
Gloucester, who were impressive from start to finish, held the lead for long periods at Stade Ernest Wallon, but a Clement Poitrenaud try denied them what would have been a famous win. In truth, they fully deserved something.
Young fly-half Freddie Burns nudged the visitors into the lead with a penatly goal with twelve minutes on the clock and then wing Charlie Sharples crossed on the right following good work in the backs. Burns' extras made it 0-10.
However, finally Toulouse got onto the board via three points from Luke McAlister, who was partnering impressive Wallaby Luke Burgess.
He was not done there though as the former Blues man turned provider for wing Timoci Matanavou, with his clever grubber sending in the Fijian finisher wide out. It was 8-10 at the break.
Gloucester then lost number eight Alasdair Strokosch to the sin-bin on 50 minutes which allowed Toulouse to take the lead for the first time in the game. McAlister made him pay.
McAlister was soon replaced by Lionel Beauxis, who kicked the hosts further ahead before Gloucester moved back in front after Henry Trinder finished off Mike Tindall's nice offload.
But such is their experience and knowhow in European rugby, Toulouse ultimately produced a comeback with full-back Poitrenaud sparing their blushes with a try six minutes from time.
The scorers:
For Toulouse:
Tries: Matanavou, Poitrenaud
Con: Beauxis
Pen: McAlister 2, Beauxis
For Gloucester:
Tries: Sharples, Trinder
Con: Burns 2
Pen: Burns
Toulouse: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Timoci Matanavou, 13 Yann David, 12 Florian Fritz, 11 Yves Donguy, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Shaun Sowerby, 7 Sylvain Nicolas, 6 Yannick Nyanga, 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Replacements: 16 William Servat, 17 Yohan Montes, 18 Johnson Falefa, 19 Grégory Lamboley, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 Yannick Jauzion, 22 Lionel Beauxis, 23 Gillian Galan.
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Will James, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Darren Dawiduik, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Jonny May.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
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