Confident Cockerill calls for repeat performance as Leicester aim to maul Toulouse

The former England hooker, now in charge of the Leicester forwards, is perfectly qualified to assess what awaits the Guinness Premiership champions in south-west France.

All full stretch: but Cockerill thinks Leicester can repeat their 1997 win

He was in the side who beat Toulouse 10 years ago, on the only previous occasion that the east Midlands club have had to play the aristocrats of European rugby on their manicured lawn.

Since that heady day, when the Tigers took a pounding but escaped with a 22-17 win, only two English teams have triumphed in Toulouse.

Bath managed it in 2000 and months later Saracens repeated the feat — securing a 32-22 victory largely thanks to the all-round heroics of a Frenchman at full back, Thomas Castaignede.

In the last seven years the cream of the English game have stormed the city ramparts eight times and come away with nothing.

While a less-than-vintage Toulouse were beaten twice in 2006 by Celtic invaders — Leinster and Llanelli — their Heineken Cup home record reads: played 42, won 35, drawn 2, lost 5.

It is not a place for the weakwilled, as Cockerill and Co discovered all those years ago. 'That was the only match I ever played when a Leicester pack was under so much pressure in the scrum that we conceded a penalty try,' he said yesterday.

'The Toulouse front row was Franck Tournaire, Christian Califano and Patrick Soula. A mighty good unit. It was one of our first experiences of French rugby and it was a rough day at the office.

'It was a culture shock for us. We knew they had fantastic players but we had to adapt to the atmosphere, the pace they played at and their physicality. They took us a little bit by surprise.'

It is to the Tigers' credit that they had the fortitude to weather the storm. Cockerill, who spent two years in France with Montferrand, now Clermont Auvergne, suggests that many teams are beaten before they have even taken the field in Toulouse.

'They are the French version of Leicester,' he said. 'Playing in Toulouse is a massive challenge and the perception is that you're not going to win. A lot of teams are defeated before the game starts.

'Clubs like Clermont, Stade Francais and Biarritz have strong squads now, so they will go to Toulouse believing they can win. But a lot of the smaller clubs rest players because they know they are going to lose.'

However, Cockerill has identified a familiar French weakness which may assist the Tigers. While they can expect a cacophonous atmosphere in the 37,000- capacity Stade Municipal, the home support is liable to round on Toulouse if they fail to produce fireworks.

He said: 'There is an expectation in the crowd which can work against the team. The fans expect them to play well, in a certain style, and if that doesn't happen they soon show their displeasure.

'But if Toulouse turn it on then the band starts playing and the noise is incredible.'

Last weekend, Leicester beat the three-time European champions in the mud at Welford Road to throw Pool Six wide open.

That has put the pressure back on Toulouse, according to Cockerill, who is 37 on the day of the game.

But he is aware the Tigers must throw caution to the wind in a do- or- die match which has echoes of last season's trip to Munster.

The Irish province had never before lost at Thomond Park in the Heineken Cup but Leicester buried that proud record and Cockerill senses more historic heroics may be on the cards.

'Toulouse are in great form and are leading the French league but we are buoyant and on a good run,' he said.

'We've had some good results in France in previous years, which gives us confidence. We need to win and we know we can.'