Leinster 32-23 Toulouse

WOW! How intense was that? An epic encounter where both sides turned up and fronted up.
It almost looked like the gods were against Leinster when a David Skrela penalty after just three minutes came off the post and bounced over Brian O'Driscoll's head for Florian Fritz to come charging in and put the ball down. Leinster did nothing wrong, it was just desperately unfortunate.
Toulouse made Leinster work really hard all over the pitch and didn't give Leinster an inch without Leinster really earning it. Toulouse were tenacious at the breakdown and forced Leinster to commit bodies.
Leinster came back with the forwards hammering up around the edges. Eventually Jamie Heaslip stretched for the score and just about got it down on the line.
In the second half Toulouse got a try close to the Leinster line and put on the squeeze. They wheeled it for scrum half Jean-Marc Doussain to bolt forward and off load to Louis Picamoles to dot it down.
The intensity continued and Cian Healy went charging up field breaking a couple of tackles that got the Leinster crowd and players pumped. Enter Heinke Van Der Merwe from the bench to replace Healy. He was obviously pumped after watching Healy's rampage. He went straight into the scrum and annihilated Census Johnston. The players and crowd got even more pumped! Turning point?
Leinster's second try was almost a carbon copy of their first. With the forwards flexing their muscles in the fringes and phase after phase. The opportunity nearly got away when Isaac Boss's pass didn't go to hand, but Jonny Sexton showed great commitment by catching the ball in contact. The ball made it's way to O'Driscoll who ran in from 2 metres. Not the best try he's ever scored, but he will be delighted with it none the less.
There was still plenty of time for a team of the quality of Toulouse to steal it at the death but Leinster held out and now march on to Cardiff.
This game was massively intense and physical throughout. Neither side was willing to take a backwards step. Leinster's forwards got some payback for last years semi final when Toulouse absolutely smashed them up front. They can be very proud of themselves, as can the rest of the squad. Massive effort put in by all!
My Man of the Match is Jamie Heaslip. He was excellent all game. He ran great lines and was a constant thorn in the Toulousian side.
Honourable mentions for Richardt Strauss and Gordon D'Arcy.
Next stop Cardiff!