Both sides came into the game level on points in Pool 6 but a powerful performance from the former Heineken Cup Champions sent a warning shot out to the rest of the teams in the tournament.

Toulouse controlled the pace and proceedings in a stunning first half of rugby which set the platform the visitors’ victory.

Former New Zealand fly-half’s Luke McAlister and Nick Evans exchanged penalties in the fifth and seventh minute respectively.

Toulouse struck with the first try after a neat chip forward from Luke Burgess.  Quins failed to deal with the scrum-half’s kick and number eight Louis Picamoles grabbed the loose ball to set-up field position.  Toulouse stretched Quins left and right before Picamoles and Thierry Dusatoir combined to send Matanavou over in the corner for the first of his tries.

Toulouse should have doubled their advantage after they won a scrum against the head and broke through McAlister.  With numbers wide to the left a score looked set but the visitors over complicated and Quins scrambled to cover.

McAlister kicked his second penalty to stretch Toulouse’s lead but with countless first-half chances they would have hoped for more at the break.

It was roles reversed early in the second period as Quins came out of the changing rooms with the sort of performance that has seen them storm to victory in every game this season.

The hosts took the game to Toulouse and were rewarded for their early advantage with a Mike Brown try.  Evans added the conversion to reduce the deficit to just a point.

But just as Quins look to be building another platform the power of Toulouse forced the four-times Champions back into the game. 

Toulouse’s second score was a simple break to the left and the ball was fed to Matanavou who sprinted into the corner.  McAlister converted to seal the victory.