Wonderful hands from the Toulouse backs to keep the ball alive on the right, surely they will score...

This is better from Sale, they win a lineout and gain some vital yards. They have the ball in a good area with good numbers but a crossfield kick from Robert du Preez is too long.

The centre has his head in his hands...

Toulouse test the Sale defence and kill the clock with a long period of forwards' possession, but Tom Roebuck stands up well to make an interception. The ball is soon back in the hands of the hosts though.Sale need two scores and at the moment they can't find the ball.

There are some exhausted looking men out there in the southern sunshine, as Toulouse even take off Romain Ntamack. That's an interesting call.

Tom Roebuck catches a deep ball and is immediately wrapped up by red shirts, a counter ruck wins the ball back and Toulouse have a scrum in a dangerous position.

It's been a fine 20 minutes from the champions. Showing why they were such well-fancied favourites.

Class from Romain Ntamack to bend a kick into touch and win Toulouse a lineout in the process. They are right on the line...

Plenty of changes in the packs now as the toll of this physical battering starts to pay. The sun is still streaming down in Toulouse, long shadows dance across the field, Sale chasing them a touch at the moment.

Tom Curry had to come off in the first half for Sale and now Ben is having some running repairs. He's going to be able to carry on though.

The next try is massive.

The crowd are up and are not happy with some of Sale's antics here. With half an hour to go they are right in the game and not many people expected that.

Sale make a mess of the lineout as Luke Cowan-Dickie overthrows his man. A waste of good position.

Sam Grove-White's French accent is superb as well as he shouts out to Emmanuel Meafou. SANK! SANK!

He means five. George Ford kicks the ball into a good position for Sale.

Image source, Getty Images

Sale survived that drive but they do have a scrum right on their own line. Si McIntyre does well to win a penalty from it and take off some of the heat.

'That's just rugby,' says referee Sam Grove-White as the Toulouse players object to a challenge.

Corrr it's so nearly another try straight away as Toulouse react well to a bouncing ball, scrum-half Paul Graou dives for the line but it's a brilliant tackle from Asher Opoku-Fordjour to knock the ball clear.

The home crowd don't like it.

More good defensive work from Sale to stop a drive but they do cough up a penalty which the hosts kick right into the corner.

The crowd have come alive.

Toulouse kick the ball smartly over the top and Sale wing Arron Reed does very well to gather it in and stay in touch under heavy pressure.

The crowd are up, the volume is up. This will be some 40 minutes for Sale to endure.