VINE: 39-year-old Brad Thorn practically beat Toulon on his own

Oi Brad, give some other lads a chance

Brad Thorn is on course for his second European Cup final in four seasons. If his Leicester Tigers team make it to the knock-out stages next year, the second row will be 40-years-old and still banging bodies. The World Cup-winning New Zealander was immense for Tigers this evening as they defeated reigning Champions (Heineken) Cup champions Toulon at Welford Road. The former Leinster lock, who claimed a Heineken Cup trophy with the province in 2012, made nine crunching tackles, won three line-outs and scored a first half try. He lasted all 80 minutes plus five minutes of time added on as Tigers held on for a vital win. Who made the huge hit that secured a penalty and turnover at the death? Bradley Carnegie Thorn, that's who. With Harlequins Nick Easter winning man-of-the-match against Leinster earlier in the day, it has certainly been a Champions Cup day for the old stagers.