Defending Heineken Cup champions Toulouse look odds-on to make this seasons’s quarter-finals after beating a brave Edinburgh side at Stade Ernest Wallon on Friday night.

The five-try performance in miserable conditions has effectively knocked Edinburgh out of contention, and the Scottish visitors were trailing after only two minutes.

Toulouse flanker Finau Maka scored from the first scrum of the match, and tries to lock Romain Millo-Chlusky and centre Florian Fritz gave the home side a 21-13 lead at halftime. It could have been worse if Jean-Frederic Dubois and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde hadn’t missed three shots at goal between them.

Chris Paterson’s kicking boot and his well-taken try kept Edinburgh fans interested after 40 minutes, but Dubois’ try from his own kick ahead gave Toulouse the bonus point and a comfortable lead.

Replacement backrower Yannick Nyanga scored the French club’s fifth try after some good work from man of the match and namesake Yannick Jauzion, and only poor handling prevented more tries from Toulouse.