Leicester Tigers 9-5 Toulouse

Now the risk of hypothermia has passed, I can fully appreciate what an epic of a match it was. Not a try-fest, not filled with thrills, spills and skills, but an intriguing, old-fashioned encounter.

Tigers officials clear snow from the Welford Road pitch before Leicester’s 9-5 Heineken Cup pool 2 win over Toulouse on Sunday, January 20, 2013

You couldn’t ask for any more: a clash between two of club rugby’s biggest names – the two sides have won the Heineken Cup six times between them (out of 18) – with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. A game which was in the balance until the very last play. A sell-out crowd at Welford Road.

And more than a dusting of snow, which meant the game was littered with mistakes.

In all honesty, Toulouse, who scored the game’s only try through Yoann Huget, should have won. They would have done so easily if Lionel Beauxis and Luke McAllister hadn’t conspired to miss all five of their side’s efforts at goal. By contrast, Toby Flood converted three of his four place kicks.

But Leicester’s defensive effort meant there could be no complaints at the home win, which was met with delirium at the final whistle – although that might have been mainly because it meant the crowd could, at last, find shelter from the snow.