Picamoles relishing Heaslip match-up

AS anticipation in Toulouse continues to climb ahead of the tomorrow’s Heineken Cup semi-final between the French giants and Leinster, France international number eight Louis Picamoles has declared he is relishing the prospect of playing against Leinster and Lions number eight Jamie Heaslip.

There is no shortage of mouthwatering individual clashes between the two teams, but the match-up between Heaslip and the young pretender Picamoles promises to be one of the more interesting side shows on offer at the Stadium de Toulouse.

“There’s no doubt he’s a great player and he’s had a quality season,” said Picamoles when asked about his opposite number. “But Leinster have quality players across the pitch in lots of positions so we know how difficult it is going to be to play against them in general.”