European Cup semi-finals: Leicester's head coach John Wells has warned his side to brace themselves for more "cheap shots" during Sunday's European Cup semi-final against Toulouse after claiming the Tigers were victims of a cynical weekend ambush at Saracens that contributed to the England captain, Martin Corry, being sent off and suspended for three weeks.

Wells is expecting another hugely physical showdown against France's premier club and believes Toulouse may try to adopt similar tactics to a Saracens team that, he alleged yesterday, had been looking for trouble from the outset at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

"We wanted to play football; they wanted to fight and brawl," said Wells, revealing his players had been told to anticipate more of the same at the Walkers Stadium. "It could happen again this weekend. We've got to try and deal with it. One of the things we have talked about is how to retain composure and deal with pressure, and that's not necessarily what is being put at you from a rugby side of things.

"It's the cheap shots, it's the underbelly of the game that you don't often see but can have a massive effect on whether the game is won or lost. It certainly affected us at the weekend and we didn't deal with it very well. But that doesn't mean we won't deal with it if it happens this weekend."

Wells was also taking no chances at Leicester's training ground, where private security guards patrolled the gates to deter any French spies. The Tigers coach claimed the twice European champions have tried to sneak into opponents' training sessions themselves in the past, once sending a man in a van to Llanelli, and insisted on precautions being taken.

"You know those things can happen but you don't want them happening to you."

Wells believes Toulouse have a weak spot which his side can exploit on Sunday. The director of rugby has announced a squad of 26 players for Sunday's match, but due to European Cup Rugby regulations, he is restricted from naming his starting XV until tomorrow.

However, he gave a strong indication that England lock Ben Kay and backrow forward Louis Deacon will be in the line-up. Wells also confirmed he is "seriously considering" starting with Austin Healey in his back line.

The Tigers are bidding to reach their fourth European Cup final and Wells is expecting a brutal encounter at the Walkers Stadium.

"Ben Kay and Louis Deacon both took a full part in training today and, provided we don't get any reaction in the next 48 hours, then I expect them to take part in the team run on Saturday morning."

Wells anticipates Toulouse trying to mix their play up between a thunderous forward confrontation and spreading the ball wide to their electric backs, a back line which includes French internationals Frederic Michalak and Benoit Baby.

"We have talked earlier on today that it could be a 9-6 game or it could be a 40-30 game, and that's the quality of the side we are playing against," Wells said.

"We are under no illusions that this team is capable of winning this game, this competition and the French championship as well, but, at the same time, they could easily lose it because of their style.

"They are a joy to watch but, for everything that goes right for them, things can go wrong for them. And, while they have that in their make-up, we have a chance."