Toulouse began their quest for a fifth Heineken Cup crown with a 38-5 bonus-point win over Zebre in Pool 3.

Europe’s most successful side picked up maximum points at the Stade Ernest Wallon as they crossed for six tries in a straightforward start to their latest continental challenge.

Maxime Medard and Yoann Huget bagged a brace of scores apiece, with Gregory Lamboley and Yannick Nyanga also touching down against the Italians.

Zebre claimed a consolation score through left wing Dion Berryman but last season’s tournament debutants never looked like causing what would have been a huge upset.

Toulouse had the bonus-point sewn up by half-time as they raced into a 24-0 interval lead prior to next week’s massive match up with Saracens at Wembley.

Huget crossed for the game’s opening try after 11 minutes and Lamboley grabbed the second just six minutes later. Huget then added a quick-fire second exactly midway through the first period and, even though Sebastien Bezy missed two of the three conversions, Zebre were already facing a mountain to climb at 17-0 down.

Medard’s first extended the gap with 33 minutes gone and his second took the lead out to 31-0 four minutes after the break.

Berryman cut the gap just a minute later as Zebre got off the mark but Nyanga added his side’s sixth try with 24 minutes left to play.

Zebre refused to back down, though, and they kept the tournament heavyweights scoreless for the remainder of the match to ensure they take something positive into next week’s home tie with Connacht.