Topsy Ojo gave new England manager Martin Johnson a big nudge.
But the London Irish wing was also cursing himself and his teammates for blowing the chance of a dream Euro Final.
Ojo, named man of the match, scored a stunning solo try - only his second of the season - as Irish pushed mighty Toulouse to the very limit.
But despite a frenzied final 20 minutes where it was all one-way Irish traffic they could not claw it back and finished up defeated and deflated.
Ojo, who has already played for England Saxons, said: "We came up short. We're so disappointed because we took them all the way.
"It's difficult to put it into words. We made so many line breaks and put them under so much pressure. The game was there for us to win but we were not clinical enough.
"I'm happy to show Martin Johnson and the other selectors what I can do but I'd rather have had the win today."
Captain Bob Casey added: "The boys are devastated. We cannot believe we did not win but you have to take your chances at this level."
Irish gave it everything. They were brave, battling and at times brilliant with ball in hand.
But the experience of being in so many Heineken Cup finals before helped Toulouse, who won the inaugural competition in 1995, to scramble over the line and give themselves a chance of lifting the trophy for the fourth time in five attempts.
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Peter Hewat shared early penalties before 22-year-old Ojo showed his ability.
The wing burst past Elissalde and then full-back Cedric Heymans for a stunning try which Hewat converted.
The Irish defence was stretched to the limit soon afterwards, however, and centre Manu Ahotaeiloa cruised over just inside the touchline.
Toulouse's tails were up and when their pack pushed Irish back over their own line hooker William Servat did the rest.
Elissalde's kick gave his side a 15-10 half-time lead.
Irish charged out of the second-half blocks and were rewarded when wing Sailosi Tagicakibau shrugged off two weak Toulouse tackles to storm down the flank, cut inside and score another superb try to level the scores.
Elissalde kicked his side back in front with two penalties and they stayed there despite Irish's late onslaught.
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Jonathan Pearce
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE