Harlequins were gifted the chance to make it into the final stages of the Heineken Cup last night but were denied by a solid, brutal Connacht side. Toulouse on the other hand would have been breathing a sigh of relief after Gloucester's young side ran riot at Kingsholm.

It was a day to remember for Bryan Redpath’s men as they triumphed over a star-studded Toulouse side which featured IRB Player of the Year, Thierry Dusatoir. 

Nick Wood was put in the sin bin early on for Gloucester but the Cherry-and-Whites held strong as Jonny May charged down a rushed kick from Timoci Matanavou to score the opener for the hosts.

Beauxis kicked a penalty on the 15 minute mark which was sandwiched by two perfectly crafted Toulouse tries, one from Dusatoir and one from Matanavou. Along with a try from Gloucester’s Akapusi Qera and an additional three points from Lionel Beauxis, Toulouse led Gloucester by 17 points to 14 at half time.

Gloucester got off to the best possible start in the second period of the game when Mike Tindall grubbered the ball on the Shed side of the pitch. Sharples and May went racing after the ball and when May gathered it he passed onto Sharples who had an easy run in for the score. Matanavou crossed the line for a second time midway through the half making the score 24-24 and the game all to play for.

James Simpson-Daniel ignited Gloucester's comeback when he made a darting break down the wing. He offloaded to May who sprinted for the line and celebrated with the Gloucester fans in the West Stand. Along with an additional penalty from Burns, Gloucester won by 34 points to 24.

Harlequins were dismal in the face of Heineken Cup newcomers, Connacht. Star of the evening, Niall O’Connor, kicked all of Connacht's nine points in the first 15 minutes of the encounter. Sam Smith scored an unconverted try for Harlequins during that 15 minute period but a penalty from Nick Evans on the hour mark wasn’t enough to secure victory for Quins.

The group finished with Toulouse on top, Harlequins in second, Gloucester a point behind the Premiership table-toppers in third and Heineken Cup rookies, Connacht, in fourth place.