Pressure on Berne to fill Sexton void

PREVIEW: Toulouse v Leinster

It hardly came as a shock when word of the out-half’s absence was confirmed shortly before noon yesterday and, though Leinster have had ample time to work on Plan B, it would be impossible to overstate the magnitude of his loss.

Three teams have gone to Toulouse and won in the European Cup since 2006 – Leinster, Scarlets and Glasgow, though the Irish province are the only one to win at Le Stadium, which will host today’s clash – and between them the Celtic clubs racked up a grand total of 115 points.