Toulouse 80 Leicester Tigers 12

Toulouse scored 12 tries as they hammered Leicester Tigers 80-12 to secure themselves a home tie in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.

Both sides had already qualified for the knockout stages ahead of Sunday’s clash at Stade Ernest-Wallon but the holders were in emphatic form as they clinched second spot in Pool 1.

Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont opened the scoring after just six minutes before turning provider less than 10 minutes later as his superb cross-field kick found Ange Capuozzo, who stepped inside Freddie Steward to tee up Dimitri Delibes.

Capuozzo then scored a try of his own with a brilliant mazy run before hooker Julien Marchand crossed as the French side scored 42 unanswered points in a first-half thumping.

The hosts’ second row were in ruthless form with Emmanuel Meafou crossing twice in the opening period before fellow lock Thibaud Flament did the same after the interval.

Flament’s first came as an instant response to Tigers’ opening try of the afternoon as Jack van Poortvliet crossed just three minutes after the break to finally get Michael Cheika’s men on the board.

Will Hurd added a second for an improved Tigers side but the quality of the team currently sat second in the Top 14 shone through as excellent second tries for Capuozzo and Dupont and late scores from Thomas Ramos and Matthis Lebel sealed a truly dominant display.

Tigers, who suffered their heaviest-ever defeat in the Champions Cup, qualify in third spot in the pool, meaning they are denied a home clash in the last 16.

After winning all four of their pool stage fixtures, Toulouse were remarkably pipped to top spot by French rivals Bordeaux-Begles after failing to pick up a bonus point in their 20-8 victory over Sharks last weekend.

05:35 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings to an end our coverage of Toulouse’s thumping victory over Leicester Tigers. Thank you for joining us.

05:20 PM GMT

WATCH: Toulouse score their 12th try

05:18 PM GMT

Final Pool 1 standings

1. Bordeaux Begles - 20 points

2. Toulouse - 19 points

3. Leicester Tigers - 11 points

4. Ulster - 5 points

5. Sharks - 5 points

6. Exeter Chiefs - 1 point

05:12 PM GMT

Full time: Toulouse 80 Leicester Tigers 12

Ramos’ 10th conversion of the afternoon was the final action of a terrific and completely ruthless afternoon from Toulouse.

Such a heavy defeat will hurt Tigers but they had already qualified in third and will now have an away tie in the last 16.

Remarkably, Toulouse finish in second in Pool 1 behind Bordeaux Begles having failed to pick up a bonus point in their third game against Sharks.

05:10 PM GMT

TRY! Toulouse score their 12th

Toulouse 80 Leicester Tigers 12 (Lebel) They have another!

Toulouse work it out to the left hand side before Mallia plays an excellent grubber kick through which Lebel gets to first. He is able to just nudge it on before jumping on the ball after it crossed the line.

Ramos takes them to 80 points with the conversion.

05:06 PM GMT

TRY! Dupont adds an 11th for the home side

Toulouse 73 Leicester Tigers 12 (Dupont) Wow, they have turned it on once again in these latter stages.

Toulouse threaten down the right before working it back inside and a really nice offload from Flament is the key pass which releases Dupont to cross over under the posts.

Ramos does convert this time.

05:03 PM GMT

TRY! Flament scores Toulouse’s 10th

Toulouse 66 Leicester Tigers 12 (Flament) Tigers knock it on and from the scrum, Dupont goes on a magnificent , powering run forward down the left, despite the efforts of the visiting defence, to take his side within 10 metres.

They are held up for a moment but quickly work it out to the right and after some really swift passing, Flament powers home for his second of the day.

Ramos misses from the tee.

04:56 PM GMT

TRY! Ramos provides instant response

Toulouse 61 Leicester Tigers 12 (Ramos) Toulouse respond instantly once again to a Tigers try.

The home side work it to the right from the breakdown before changing direction and going back inside to Ramos who can find a gap to burst into and he crosses over with ease.

He then converts from under the posts.

04:54 PM GMT

TRY! Hurd gets one back for Tigers

Toulouse 54 Leicester Tigers 12 (Hurd) Toulouse collapse the scrum and the referee has a word with skipper Dupont.

From the second scrum, Cracknell offloads it to Kata who carries his side to within a metre before Hurd can complete the job.

There is a TMO check after the referee didn’t have a clear view of the grounding but the try stands.

Shillcock then hits the post from under the posts. His kicking has been poor in all honesty.

04:50 PM GMT

65 mins: Toulouse 54 Leicester Tigers 7

Mauvaka is penalised at the breakdown on Toulouse’s 22 but Shillcock’s kick is too ambitious and misses touch meaning the home side are given the chance to clear to halfway.

Tigers carve out an opening as Cracknell bursts through a hole in the Toulouse defence before selling another defender with the dummy. He offloads it to Whiteley but he is brought down just a few metres out. Tigers are awarded the scrum though.

04:45 PM GMT

61 mins: Toulouse 54 Leicester Tigers 7

Toulouse intercept it as Tigers work it out to the right following the line-out but play is brought back once again after an earlier foul.

Shillcock finds touch five metres out down the left and it’s a really promising position for the visitors. The ball is worked to Kata who shows great power to drive over the line despite the efforts of four defenders.

There is a TMO check though for whether Perese infringed on the defensive line as he made a run across Kata and the try is ruled out.

04:42 PM GMT

59 mins: Toulouse 54 Leicester Tigers 7

Toulouse knock it on and Tigers have the scrum on halfway. Kata does well to drive his side into the Toulouse half.

The referee brings it back for an infringement by Algegheri and Shillcock kicks well into the Toulouse 22.

04:38 PM GMT

TRY! Capuozzo shows incredible pace to add eighth

Toulouse 54 Leicester Tigers 7 (Capuozzo) Willis turns it over superbly in the breakdown before working it to Capuozzo on the outside to the right.

The winger is in his own half as he picks it up but puts the burners on and accelerates away from the Tigers’ defence before stepping inside the final man and bursting over the line. Incredible pace from the winger and great work from Willis.

Ramos converts this time.

04:34 PM GMT

52 mins: Toulouse 47 Leicester Tigers 7

Tigers win the foul at the breakdown and Shillcock is able to kick into touch, 10 metres from the line.

The visitors are strong in the maul before moving the ball swiftly out to the left but Willis is strong in the tackle and it forces the knock-on.

04:29 PM GMT

TRY! Flament provides instant response

Toulouse 47 Leicester Tigers 7 (Flamant) Toulouse respond instantly as Marchand drives at the Tigers defence following the line-out.

The home side carry the ball to within five metres down their left and as the ball falls loose, Flament is the quickest to react as he plucks it up before crossing over to extend their lead once again.

For the first time this afternoon, Ramos fails to convert.

04:26 PM GMT

TRY! Van Poortvliet gets one back for Tigers

Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 7 (Van Poortvliet) Tigers have the advantage following an infringement from Marchand and this time the visitors do find touch with the kick after play is brought back.

They work it towards the left from the line-out down the right and Van Poortvliet sells the Toulouse defence with an excellent dummy before bursting over the line to register Tigers’ first points of the day!

Shillcok converts.

04:22 PM GMT

43 mins: Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 0

After a series of long and high kicks, it’s a mistake from Toulouse as Ntamack’s pass hits the head of Flamant and as the fly-half picks it back up he is offside.

Tigers fail to find touch though and they waste a good opportunity to get into the 22.

04:19 PM GMT

41 mins: Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 0

Toulouse were made to wait for Tigers to emerge from the tunnel but we are eventually back underway at Stade Ernest-Wallon with the home side and Ntamack kicking things off going from left to right. Can Tigers threaten any sort of come back?

04:12 PM GMT

WATCH: Delibes scores pick of the bunch

04:04 PM GMT

Half-time: Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 0

The visitors work it from left to right and while their final pass is intercepted, play is brought back for an earlier foul.

It all boils over for a moment following a late challenge and the referee warns both captains.

Toulouse soon win the foul at the breakdown as play resumes and that’s the final action of a remarkable opening period.

04:02 PM GMT

42 mins: Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 0

Bassett steps past a couple of challenges and carries the ball well into the Toulouse half. As the visitors get beyond the 22, they win the foul at the foul at the breakdown and have a late chance to push for their first try.

04:00 PM GMT

41 mins: Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 0

There are two steals from Montoya in quick succession with the second one drawing the foul to relieve some pressure on his side and gain some territory.

The line-out isn’t straight though and the home side have the scrum. Capuozzo goes for the kick and chase but Tigers sweep up and win the foul at the breakdown as the clock ticks into the red.

03:55 PM GMT

37 mins: Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 0

Tigers put a nice move together with Bassett and Hassall-Collins combining well but Cracknell spills it as the visitors go within five metres.

03:53 PM GMT

TRY! Meafou scores a sixth for the home side

Toulouse 42 Leicester Tigers 0 (Meafou) Ntamack breaks clear of the defensive line and goes for an audacious kick in behind for Capuozzo to his right but the bounce of the ball goes in favour of the visitors as it goes back into touch.

It’s quickly coming back though and after a number of attacking phases, Toulouse are within five metres. The two second rows combine following the breakdown as Flamont scoops it round to Meafou who can power over the line. It’s ruthless from Toulouse.

Ramos makes it six from six from the tee.

03:48 PM GMT

29 mins: Toulouse 35 Leicester Tigers 0

Tigers have a rare flurry forward into the Toulouse 22 but the hosts defend incredibly in the maul and win the scrum five metres out from their own try-line.

03:45 PM GMT

TRY! Marchand adds fourth try in ten minutes

Toulouse 35 Leicester Tigers 0 (Marchand) This is getting ridiculous, every time Toulouse come forward, they score. Flament can burst through the defence and holds off a number off challenges to carry it within five metres.

Toulouse work it to the right from the breakdown and it’s played to Marchand who breezes through for a fifth!

It’s business as usual for Ramos who has five conversions to his name after 25 minutes.

03:41 PM GMT

TRY! Capuozzo adds a fourth

Toulouse 28 Leicester Tigers 0 (Capuozzo) It’s raining tries in France and this is some individual brilliance from Capuozzo in what was a move straight off the training ground.

As Toulouse work it right from the breakdown, it’s popped back inside to the winger who steps past his man and makes a dart for the corner. He shows some electric pace to reach the line and the home side already have their bonus point!

Ramos converts from out wide this time.

03:37 PM GMT

TRY! Toulouse score quickfire third

Toulouse 21 Leicester Tigers 0 (Meafou) Play has barely started again and Toulouse have another try! Cros finds a gap and can carry the ball into the 22 before picking out Willis who was in support.

Tigers can slow the attack down for a moment but it’s quickly worked right to Meafou who can break through the defensive line and score Toulouse’s third.

Ramos converts once again.

03:35 PM GMT

TRY! Delibes doubles Toulouse’s advantage

Toulouse 14 Leicester Tigers 0 (Delibes) Wow... Toulouse are on fire! Ntamack bursts through the Tigers defence before playing it inside to Dupont who skips past a challenge.

The scrum-half then plays a clever crossfield kick that picks out Capuoozzo on the right. The winger spins round his man superbly before popping the ball inside to Delibes who crosses over for a fantastic second try for the hosts.

Ramos converts.

03:32 PM GMT

14 mins: Toulouse 7 Leicester Tigers 0

Toulouse work it swiftly out to their left following the scrum but Ramos fumbles the ball as they look set to be in down the flank. Let-off for Tigers.

The visitors win the foul at the scrum before the sides engage in a series of high kicking.

03:28 PM GMT

10 mins: Toulouse 7 Leicester Tigers 0

And in no time at all, it appears Toulouse have doubled their lead. The home side are within five metres and work it brilliantly out to the right where Capuozzo gathers it before playing it inside to Delibes who can get it over the line.

TMO shows though that the winger was in touch as he popped it back inside and the decision is Tigers lint-out. It’s been a phenomenal start from Toulouse though.

03:25 PM GMT

TRY! Dupont gives Toulouse the lead

Toulouse 7 Leicester Tigers 0 (Dupont) Toulouse win the foul five metres out and Ramos reacts to take it quickly before popping it off to Dupont who can get it over the line. Ramos then converts with ease.

It gets worse for the visitors as Perese goes into the sin bin following a cynical tackle attempt in the move for the try.

03:21 PM GMT

5 mins: Toulouse 0 Leicester Tigers 0

The visitors work it nicely out to Bassett on the right flank but he is tackled well before Toulouse win the foul in the breakdown.

The home side maul well following the line-out to reach halfway. Barassi then bursts through a hole in the Tigers defence before popping it off to Dupont who performs miracles to hang onto it and Toulouse are pressing within the 22.

03:19 PM GMT

3 mins: Toulouse 0 Leicester Tigers 0

Tigers start the game strongly as they put some nice patterns together to approach the Toulouse 22. They give it away in the breakdown but quickly win it back.

Steward looks to play a deft grubber kick through but Toulouse sweep up well before Dupont kicks away. It’s coming straight back though.

03:17 PM GMT

1 min: Toulouse 0 Leicester Tigers 0

We are underway here at Stade Ernest-Wallon with the visitors getting proceedings underway, kicking from left to right.

The referee this afternoon is Ben Whitehouse of Wales.

03:16 PM GMT

Cheika’s final thoughts

03:13 PM GMT

Toulouse ‘pumped’ for visit of Tigers

03:11 PM GMT

Penaud breaks record

Damian Penaud has broken the competition record for individual tries scored in a game as he bagged six tries in Bordeaux-Begles’s triumph over Sharks.

03:08 PM GMT

Toulouse’s star man

03:05 PM GMT

Watson retires

England and Leicester Tigers winger Anthony Watson retired from professional rugby union this week on medical grounds because of a back injury.

The 30-year-old said he had been told by his surgeon to make the decision after the injury, which he suffered in January 2024, “failed to improve how we thought it would”.

“I don’t want this to be a sob story at all,” Watson said in a video message posted on the England Rugby website.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my rugby career. I have some of the best memories someone could hope for when they start their career.”

“My overarching feeling is of pride,” he told Tigers’ website.

“When I started out, I wanted to make my dad more than anyone proud, I wanted to play for England and the Lions with my parents in the crowd and, eventually, wanted to share a moment with my children on the field.

“I can say I’ve done all those things.”

03:02 PM GMT

Updated Pool 1 standings

As the final game of Pool 1 approaches, here are the updated standings, with Bordeaux confirmed as group winners while Sharks and Exeter Chiefs are eliminated, with the former entering the Challenge Cup.

1. Bordeaux Begles - 20 points

2. Toulouse - 14 points

3. Leicester Tigers - 11 points

4. Ulster - 5 points

5. Sharks - 5 points

6. Exeter Chiefs - 1 point

03:00 PM GMT

Ulster through ahead of Sharks

It’s full time in this afternoon’s other Pool 1 clash and it was a thumping 66-12 win for Bordeuax Begles over Sharks.

The size of the deficit has seen Sharks’ points difference become worse than Ulster’s and they have slipped into fifth as a result, while Ulster progress through to the knockout stages.

Bordeaux meanwhile complete a perfect group stage, winning all four games while picking a bonus point in each.

02:57 PM GMT

Cheika on improved second half in Ulster win

Leicester scored 26 unanswered points in the second half of their win over Ulster last weekend after registering just five points in the opening period.

Discussing what was said at half-time, head coach Michael Cheika said: “It was honest talk.

“If I don’t say how I honestly feel, with a target in mind, then what’s the point in having half-time?

“I don’t want to just go through the motions. I don’t like doing it but I like that they responded and reacted.

“In the first half, when opportunities came our way – which we created – we just did not look like we wanted to go and take them.

“In the second half, we did. We probably created the same amount of opportunities in the first as we did in the second, but we took a lot more in the second.

02:53 PM GMT

Tigers’ Champions Cup campaign

Leicester’s Champion Cup campaign started with a 42-28 defeat away against current pool leaders Bordeaux Begles, but having scored four tries, the visitors were able to secure a bonus point.

Michael Cheika’s side returned to winning ways the following weekend though as they thumped Sharks 56-17 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The Premiership side made it two wins from three last weekend as they cruised past Ulster at home by a scoreline of 38-10 as Josh Bassett scored a hat-trick of tries.

02:49 PM GMT

Toulouse’s Champions Cup so far

Toulouse’s pool stage started with a 61-21 hammering of Ulster at home before a similar thumping of Exeter Chiefs a week later as the French side won 64-21 on the road.

It was a tighter affair last time out as they beat Sharks 20-8 away from home last weekend.

It was a result which left them in second after failing to secure a bonus point, which they had done so emphatically in their opening two ties.

02:46 PM GMT

Tigers in town

02:44 PM GMT

What the two sides in Toulouse need this afternoon

Despite both sides having already qualified for the knockout rounds, they will both have eyes on victory to secure a home tie in the last 16.

A win for the French side would guarantee this while victory would be enough for Leicester if Toulouse failed to register a bonus point.

02:41 PM GMT

But as it stands…

Bordeaux Begles are currently 40-12 up against Sharks with the game approaching its conclusion.

Unless there is a major swing, the French side will move on to 20 points in the pool having won all four of their ties and picking up a bonus point in each.

Remarkably the 28-point deficit will see Sharks’ points difference go level with Ulster’s, with the two sides also level on points as they battle it out for the final qualification spot.

02:39 PM GMT

Pool 1 coming into Sunday

Bordeaux Begles and Toulouse lead the way in Pool 1 having won all three of their matches, but it’s the former who edge it at the top having picked up an extra bonus point.

Leicester Tigers are in third having won two of their three ties but after picking a bonus point in each, they have a six-point advantage over Sharks and Ulster who each have just one victory to their name.

Exeter Chiefs’ crushing defeat at the hands of Ulster on Friday confirmed their place at the foot of the table having lost all four of their fixtures.

Ulster will be hoping for a heavy Sharks defeat against Bordeaux this afternoon to swing the points difference in their favour and clinch the final qualification spot.

1. Bordeaux Begles - 15 points

2. Toulouse - 14 points

3. Leicester Tigers - 11 points

4. Sharks - 5 points

5. Ulster - 5 points

6. Exeter Chiefs - 1 point

02:36 PM GMT

Who’s in the tournament?

Pool 1 - Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Sharks, Toulouse, Ulster, Bordeaux Begles

Pool 2 - ASM Clermont Auvergne, Bath, Benetton, Bristol, La Rochelle, Leinster

Pool 3 - Bulls, Castres, Munster, Northampton Saints, Saracens, Stade Francais

Pool 4 - Glasgow Warriors, Harlequins, Racing 92, Sale, Stormers, Toulon

02:31 PM GMT

Tournament format

The Investec Champions Cup is a four-pool competition, containing 24 teams.

There are eight teams from each of the English Premiership, the French Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship.

Each club will play two matches at home and two matches away in the pool stages, but cannot play a side from the same league at this stage.

The top four sides go through to the round of 16 while the teams in fifth drop down into the Challenge Cup round of 16.

The final will be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 24 May 2025.

02:26 PM GMT

Those teams in full

Toulouse: Ramos; Capuozzo, Delibes, Barassi, Kinghorn; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Neti, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Willis, Jelonch.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Baille, Merkler, Brennan, Banos, Graou, Lebel, Mallia.

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Bassett; Perese, Kelly; Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya (capt), Heyes, Henderson, Martin, Chessum, Reffell, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Hurd, Wells, Ilione, Whiteley, Shillcock, Kata.

02:23 PM GMT

Leicester’s starting 15

Michael Cheika also makes three changes to the side that cruised past Ulster last weekend as Chessum, Martin and Kelly come into the team.

02:20 PM GMT

How Toulouse line up

There are three changes to the Toulouse team that beat Sharks last time out as Marchand, Capuozzo and Delibes come into the side.

02:15 PM GMT

Preview: Tigers target top two in Toulouse

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the final round of the European Champions Cup pool stage as Leicester Tigers look to leapfrog Toulouse into second spot in Pool 1.

Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 but with the top two of the group securing a home tie for the knockout stages, there is plenty at stake at Stade Ernest-Wallon this afternoon.

Michael Cheika’s men have won two of their three fixtures in the pool stage so far with an opening-round defeat away against Bordeaux Begles being followed by convincing home victories over Sharks and Ulster.

They trail Toulouse by three points heading into this afternoon with the French side having won all three of their ties so far.

Prior to a narrow victory last time out against Sharks, Ugo Mola’s side had been in emphatic form, scoring over 60 points in their triumphs over Exeter Chiefs and Ulster.

Toulouse know a victory this afternoon will guarantee a top-two finish while Tigers could snatch second place should they win and secure a bonus point, or prevent Toulouse from gaining a bonus point themselves.

The French side have enjoyed a successful season domestically and are currently sat in second spot in the Top 14, trailing Bordeaux by just three points. However, they have won just once in their last three matches in the competition.

Tigers meanwhile, are sitting in fourth in the Premiership, eight points adrift of leaders Bath, but they too have shown signs of inconsistency having won just one of their last four domestically.