Leicester play cold card

HOLDERS Toulouse, badly stung by Wasps when they last played in England, will be looking to reassert the status of French club rugby at Leicester in their European Cup semi final this afternoon.

There remains a doubt about the fixture going ahead, and Scottish referee Jim Fleming will inspect the Welford Road pitch at 9.0 this morning to see if it is playable. Leicester, however, are anxious to play, feeling that the conditions will suit their more forward orientated style of play.

Chief executive Peter Wheeler said: "We feel that with another 12 hours of hot air blowing over the pitch it will be playable." Toulouse captain Emile N'Tamack and coach Guy Nove have agreed to wait until this morning's inspection, but are keen to postpone the tie.

Leicester's Australian coach Bob Dwyer, however, has no doubts as to the task facing his team. Despite Wasps' 77-17 win over Toulouse in the group stage, he regards the French champions as "the best team in Europe".

Toulouse hope to spoil Leicester's Twickenham final plans with a victory that would pit them either against Cardiff in a repeat of last year's final or Brive in an all French decider which would wrest the January 25th final from the English Rugby Football Union headquarters.

Leicester have practised 160 kms from home on an indoor pitch at Worcester while their Welford Road ground has been covered.

Toulouse will have to control Dean Richards and his troops in the Leicester pack before they can launch their superior backs at the suspect English defence - but the weather hardly allows for open play.

Toulouse will be at full strength with wing and captain N'Tamack and centre Thomas Castaignede, who missed the two test series France lost to South Africa last month through injury, both back in the side.

Castaignede, who has been nursing a damaged rib, will wear a protective corset. "Physical combat is going to prevail over technical qualities," said the talented centre, who fears the weather conditions will favour the Leicester pack which he regards as the best in Europe.

Leicester will be without their giant young Irish back row forward Eric Miller, who plays for his country against Italy with a view to securing a place in Ireland's Five Nations side.

Dwyer, who as Australia's 1991 World Cup winning coach was one of those responsible for creating southern hemisphere superiority in the game, makes no secret of his regard for the European Cup.

"This European Cup is a hugely important event. This tournament has the potential to really go places. Remember the Super 12 wasn't all that hot when it started out only a few years back... It won't be long before we have a world club championship," Dwyer, said.