12-try Toulouse thrash Leicester to deny home last-16 spot

Pool 1 of the Investec Champions Cup

Toulouse (42) 80

Tries: Dupont 2, Delibes, Meafou 2, Capuozzo 2, Marchand, Flament 2, Ramos, Lebel Cons: Ramos 10

Leicester Tigers (0) 12

Holders Toulouse won the Investec Champions Cup last 16 by scoring 12 tries to defeat Leicester.

Leicester’s team travels to Glasgow Warriors when the competition resumes on April 4 and 4 for its heaviest defeat in the Champions Cup, with Michael Cheika’s side taking on them.

Toulouse’s champions ruthlessly wasted no time in thumping the Tigers with two of their six first-half tries, including Emmanuel Meafou, who scored two.

Captain Antoine Dupont crossed for the opening try, scoring a solo try for himself against center Dimitri Delibes with an assist from Ange Capuozzo.

Hooker Julien Marchand also crossed in a 42-point first-half thrashing, where Leicester failed to register a single score.

For Cheika’s side, Jack van Poortvliet and Will Hurd both scored tries in a stronger second half.

However, the Top 14 added to their impressive tally by showing their strength and quality.

The scoring was completed by Dupont and Matthis Lebel, who had already grabbed two penalties and added two, Capuozzo and Thomas Ramos each added a try.

After winning the game-tying match over Ulster last weekend, Leicester finished third in Pool 1, having already secured their spot in the knockouts.

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 Capuozzo’s inch-perfect cross-field kick from the base of the ruck was brilliantly delivered 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.

One of the 19 clean breaks by the hosts saw Italy full-back Capuozzo score the winning try in the opening half against the Tigers with a mazy run off a brilliant training ground move.

The visitors struggled to keep the ball moving in a controlled chaos, as neat offloading helped to force further tries, with Marchand and Meafou crossing as the six-time champions outscoring their opponents.

Leicester’s first game was ended by a blah Jack Willis turnover, which was both their attack and their defense.

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.

After another outstanding Willis turnover, the 25-year-old rounded the Leicester defense once more to demonstrate his elite finishing skills.

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.