The four-times champions and most successful side in the tournament proved their undeniable credentials at this level to keep themselves in the hunt for a quarter-final place.

An Ospreys side who were without the injured Wales and Lions stars Adam Jones and Alun Wyn Jones and Welsh internationals Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis and Ian Evans were always going to find it tough in France.

But they didn’t help themselves when some sloppy defence allowed the hosts to cross for two early tries in the first twenty minutes of the contest as centre Florian Fritz and skipper Yannick Nyanga made it 12-0.

The Welsh side did manage to score a try of their own after some quick-thinking saw their Samoan scrum-half Kahn Fotualii take a tap penalty to himself before dancing around two defenders to cross for a try under the posts to make it 12-7 at half-time.

The French giants resumed normal service after the break, despite some stubborn defence by the visitors, and managed their third try with wing Vincent Clerc diving in at the corner.

Toulouse’s power came to the fore in the second half against a young Ospreys outfit and the home side’s pack really turned the screw as they dominated up front and prop Census Johnston crashed over from short-range.

Full back Yoann Huget added to the Ospreys’ woes when he ran in Toulouse’s fifth try but the Welsh side did manage their second score by prop Ryan Bevington in the closing moments.

Defeat means the Ospreys face an uphill task to progress in the tournament ahead of next weekend’s reverse fixture at the Liberty Stadium, although their two tournament defeats so far have come away from home against former competition winners Toulouse and Leicester.