HEINEKEN CUP POOL TWO Leeds (3) 22 Tries: Scarbrough, Albanese, Regan Cons:Ross 2 Pens: Ross Toulouse (3) 31 Tries: Jean-Jean, Brennan, Desbrosse, Labit Cons:Elissalde 4 Pens: Elissalde

Leeds trailed 24-3 early in the second half, but fought back with tries from Dan Scarbrough and Diego Albanese.

By then, the boot of Jean-Baptiste and scores from Nicolas Jeanjean, Trevor Brennan and Cedric Desbrosse had put Toulouse in control.

Mark Regan's try closed the gap late on after Christian Labit had gone over to make the game safe for Toulouse.

It was a much improved performance by Leeds in contrast to their meek surrender to Edinburgh last Sunday.

Leeds coach Phil Davies made seven changes to the side that lost 23-0 to the Gunners.

And Leeds started strongly and made significant gains with dashing runs from Christophers and Tom Palmer.

That forced Toulouse to give away a penalty, allowing Gordon Ross to get the first points on the board after three minutes.

Sustained pressure from the Tykes saw the European champions pegged into their own half for much of the opening period.

But a lack of guile and the occasional panicked pass meant they struggled to take advantage of Toulouse's slow start.

It's still not good enough but we're learning all the time and we started to show we can compete at this level Leeds boss Phil Davies

But Leeds indiscipline presented Toulouse with a penalty, though Frederic Michalak missed his kick.

However, when Toulouse won another penalty in the 23rd minute, Michalak stepped aside for Elissalde who made no mistake.

Soon after the break, Toulouse capitalised on turn-over ball to spin the ball out to the left.

A clever reverse pass from Vincent Clerc was collected by Jeanjean, who touched down between the posts. Elissalde converted to give Toulouse a 10-3 lead.

Then Trevor Brennan piled over from close range for their second try and Elissalde added the conversion as Leeds looked close to collapse.

Toulouse continued to pile forward and they were rewarded with their third try when Michalak created an opening for Cedric Desbrosse.

Elissalde had no trouble with the conversion, taking Toulouse's lead to 24-3.

But Leeds hit back when Scarbrough crossed in the 66th minute and then created another break to feed Albanese for his first try of the season.

However, Toulouse showed why they are European champions by driving over at the other end two minutes later with Christian Labit claiming the try.

Leeds fought back again through Regan and Ross made the difficult conversion out by the right touchline to close the gap.

Leeds: Cardey, Botham, Christophers, Snyman, Scarbrough, Ross, Walker, Shelley, Regan, Powell, Hooper, Palmer, Rigney, Persico, Popham.
Replacements: Albanese for Botham (48), Rawlinson for Regan (77), Kerr for Powell (48), Hyde for Rigney (48), Murphy for Popham (67).

Toulouse: Tries: Jean-Jean, Brennan, Desbrosse, Labit. Cons: Elissalde 4. Pens: Elissalde. Toulouse: Poitrenaud, Ntamack, Desbrosse, Baby, Clerc, Michalak, Elissalde, Collazo, Bru, Poux, Gerard, Brennan, Bouihlou, F. Maka, Labit.
Replacements: Heymans for Poitrenaud (74), Jean-Jean for Baby (43), Delaigue for Elissalde (75), Servat for Bru (54), Millochlusky for Gerard (72), I. Maka for F. Maka (60).

Referee: Greg Davies (SRU)