All three rivals have ‘previous’ when it comes to the Tigers and the Heineken Cup.
Toulouse were Leicester’s semi-final opponents back in the first season of English participation in 1997 and have crossed swords with Tigers six times, most recently in 2007/08.
With 19 league titles and four European Cups safely tucked away in the trophy cabinet, Toulouse are rugby aristocracy and The Tig well remembers the trip to the south of France five years ago. The freezing cold, the Christmas market in the town square, and the fog bank at one end of the stadium by the full-time whistle are instantly recalled.
The style of play from the hosts was memorable too – running everything back at top speed and supplying a clinical finish from any opportunity.
Games against the Ospreys have hogged the headlines without fail. They’ve been memorable at Welford Road and controversial down in Swansea. We all remember the last-minute win away, a 32-32 draw at home and, of course, the ‘16th man’ at the Liberty Stadium. This is indeed a clash which will need no extra edge to its build-up.
Benetton Treviso, meanwhile, proved excellent hosts in two trips in the last four years. The attractive walled town, the warm welcome and the sunshine rugby, enjoyed by a huge travelling support, have been a feature of recent Tigers seasons in Europe. On the field, Treviso have been making strides, they boast a large number of international players and they have caused upsets in recent seasons with a win over Biarritz among the highlights.
There are certainly easier draws in the 2012/13 pools, but there’s nothing we can do about that now. The Tig’s passport is on standby.
