The French league leaders went into last weekend’s reverse fixture at Welford Road with two wins from two matches, while Tigers had recorded a win and a loss from their opening fixtures against Edinburgh and Leinster.
That meant Tigers knew they simply couldn’t afford to lose if they were to have any realistic chance of progressing to the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition. Toulouse, on the other hand, knew that a loss would still leave matters in their own hands with three pool games still remaining.
“It was a mental battle for us because it was compulsory for us to win but maybe not so compulsory for Toulouse,” said Loffreda. “Now the pressure will be on both sides.
“We had to win and, when you have to win, you have a lot of responsibility and a lot of pressure. This week, the pressure will be equal.”
Loffreda and his squad will have taken confidence from last Saturday’s 14-9 victory, but the former head coach of Argentina is aware that Tigers must look for improvement if they are to defeat the three-times European Champions on their own patch.
“We have a lot of belief and trust in our ability but we will have to change some things. We have to be more efficient when we can score. It will be another level for us. We know it is going to be more difficult but we are going to prepare very well.”
