Fast but not loose can be key to a Leinster triumph in their Champions Cup semi-final against Toulouse

As Europe’s two most successful sides do battle in the Aviva Stadium this afternoon, already there is a feeling that whichever one of Leinster and Toulouse advances to the Marseilles final in two weeks’ time will go into that game as favourites to lift the trophy. Toulouse are aiming to become the first side to beat all three Irish sides in the knock-out stages but Leo Cullen’s men will find elements of those 260 minutes against their Irish rivals – when the five-time champions squeezed by Ulster and could separate themselves from Munster only by virtue of penalty kicks – instructive in their challenge to end the reign of the European champions.