The inescapable fact is that Leinster offered Toulouse three easy tries: the first within 30 seconds of the start and the second two immediately after the break. Not a wise thing to do against, arguably, the best team in this European Cup competition. Definitely not something to do in Stade Toulouse at Les Sept Derniers in front of a partisan crowd that was only too willing to jeer at what they considered to be anachronistic, wimpish tactics like kicking to touch.
That said, Leinster also led this match after Alan McGowan landed his second penalty in the 12th minute to give his side an 8-6 advantage. It lasted four minutes. Following that, the home side swept to victory, combining the strength of a murderous pack and a back line who combined pace, invention and the usual French panache. Toulouse ran everything.
In the middle of it all, Leinster, ironically, scored their best try of the season, perhaps the best of the competition, when a line-out on the right side of the pitch just outside the French 22 reached John McWeeney after six or seven cross-field interchanges. The St Mary's winger galloped down his flank after Kevin Nowlan had come into the line to provide the extra man, diving over at the corner flag for his fourth try of the competition. Not bad for a converted second row who has played the same number of European Cup matches as he has senior games for his club - six.
The try was a little diamond, uplifting and indicative of what, in time, this side might do more often. It was also generated from the line-out, where Steve Jameson was clinically proficient throughout.
But the try was also a stark contrast to the poor handling that, not for the first time, characterised the Irish performance.
Still, Toulouse were magnificent. Prop Christain Califano illustrated frightening strength among a front eight which wheeled and shoved Leinster at will. After 25 minutes the English referee Steve Landers finally awarded a penalty try to Toulouse after a series of collapses on the Irish line. No one could really complain.
That brought the score to 15-6 after Xaviour Garbajosa had suckered Leinster as Toulouse ran the ball from their first touch, catching the visitors still bedding themselves in. Two more tries followed in the first half. Firstly, the penalty try was given before outside centre Nicholas Martin showed his pace after a misplaced pass was scooped up and punished 30 minutes into the game. McWeeney added his score just before the break before Leinster were to face one of their toughest 40 minutes.
Leading 23-16, Toulouse then stung twice in the opening five minutes. Pierre Bonduy sidestepped Denis Hickie after several waves of attack on the Leinster line. Then Garbajosa ran on to a neat little punch through from the silky full back, Stephan Ougier, for a 35-16 lead. McGowan added another penalty, as did Yann Delaigue, for the final 38-19 score.
"We made some mistakes, as in Dublin," said manager Jim Glennon.
