Leinster had to dig deep in the second-half to keep out a determined Toulouse for much of the half before a try each for Brian O’Driscoll and Gordan D’arcy, at the death, put the match beyond doubt against French aristocrats, Toulouse, at Donnybrook in the European Cup pool 6 opener.
Their fly-half, Nathan Spooner, had struck six out of six shots at goal to help Leinster to a 26-9 half-time lead.
Spooner complimented his goal kicking with some fine line punts and a superbly timed pass to Shane Horgan which led to Brian O’Driscoll scoring Leinster’s opening try.
Their second, came from another well timed pass, this time from Brian O’Driscoll who found second row Malcolm O’Kelly who was unstoppable from just inside the 22.
Early on Toulouse looked the more likely side to score a try, but, a slippy ball and some good Leinster defence denied them Their sole score came from a drop goal from fullback Nicholas Jeanjean.
The French came out after the break in determined fashion and just seven minutes in, they breached the Leinster line with a move that cut the home side open for right wing Cedric Heymans to score unopposed.
From then on, Leinster had to endure some severe pressure from the French but some resolute defending finally took the spirit out of the visitors.
Leinster duly took advantage, albeit, in injury time, with a superbly worked team try for Brian O’Driscoll - his second - and another for Gordan D’arcy.
Man-of-the-match Nathan Spooner only missed one out of eight kicks at goal.