12-try Toulouse thrash Leicester to deny home last-16 spot
England flanker Jack Willis (right) continues to impress for Toulouse in the back row
- Published
Investec Champions Cup Pool 1
Toulouse (42) 80
Tries: Dupont 2, Delibes, Meafou 2, Capuozzo 2, Marchand, Flament 2, Ramos, Lebel Cons: Ramos 10
Leicester Tigers (0) 12
Tries: Van Poortvliet, Hurd Con: Shillcock
Holders Toulouse scored 12 tries to hammer Leicester and deny the visitors a home draw in the Investec Champions Cup last 16.
The result also marked Leicester's heaviest defeat in the Champions Cup, with Michael Cheika's side travelling to Glasgow Warriors when the competition resumes on the weekend of April 4-6.
Emmanuel Meafou scored two of Toulouse's six first-half tries as the champions ruthlessly wasted no time in dispatching the Tigers.
Captain Antoine Dupont crossed for the opening try, with Ange Capuozzo producing a magic assist to set up centre Dimitri Delibes, before scoring a solo try of his own.
Hooker Julien Marchand also crossed in a 42-point first-half thrashing, where Leicester failed to register a single score.
Jack van Poortvliet and Will Hurd scored tries in an improved second half for Cheika's side.
However, the Top 14 side showed their strength and quality as they added to their impressive tally.
Thibaud Flament crossed twice, Capuozzo added his second, Thomas Ramos also grabbed a try, while Dupont and replacement Matthis Lebel completed the scoring.
Leicester had already booked their place in the knockouts after a convincing victory over Ulster last weekend, and finished third in Pool 1.
Toulouse were pipped to top spot in Pool 1 by Bordeaux-Begles, who picked up maximum points in every pool game, but the holders still booked home advantage against Sale Sharks in the last 16 after finishing a point behind their French rivals.
Capuozzo magic leads dazzling show from holders
Prior to kick-off, Bordeaux-Begles' bonus-point win over Sharks meant Toulouse were unable to finish top of Pool 1, meaning this game was a straight shootout for the final home last-16 spot.
That was because of Toulouse's inability to grab a bonus-point win against the Sharks in South Africa last weekend, where they managed a 20-8 victory.
Dupont was heavily involved in the opening try, latching on to Pierre-Louis Barassi's break to brilliantly keep the ball alive with a one-handed offload, before being first on hand again to finish from Ramos' quick-tap penalty.
The Toulouse captain then turned provider as his inch-perfect cross-field kick from the base of the ruck landed in the arms of Capuozzo, who stepped inside Freddie Steward and offloaded brilliantly for Delibes to score.
Champions Toulouse, who sit second in the Top 14 behind Bordeaux-Begles, proved too fast and clinical for Leicester, with fly-half Romain Ntamack, who assisted Meafou for Toulouse's third try, a constant threat.
Italy full-back Capuozzo scored the pick of the first-half tries with a mazy run off a brilliant training ground move to slice open Tigers' defence – one of 19 clean breaks from the hosts.
Keeping the ball alive in controlled chaos proved too much for the visitors as neat offloading helped lead to further tries, with Marchand and Meafou crossing as the six-time champions proved a class above their visitors.
A trademark Jack Willis turnover ended a dismal opening period for Leicester, who were unable to register a point against a Toulouse defence that was as well drilled as their attack.
Van Poortvliet's sharp finish was the start of a much-improved second period for Tigers, but the holders remained dangerous when opportunities arose.
Given Toulouse's depth in the back three, Capuozzo has not always been a regular starter since he joined in 2022 from Pro D2 side Grenoble, which highlights the sheer level of talent available.
The 25-year-old showed his elite finishing ability once again by rounding the Leicester defence after another signature Willis turnover.
Dupont has voiced his frustration at the current format denying the holders a chance of finishing top of Pool 1, but the outcome will not hinder his side until later in the knockouts when the pool winners will benefit from home advantage.
Line-ups
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.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)