Match Report – Munster 29 – 31 Castres

Saturday’s Champions Cup clash sees two-time champions Munster knocked out for the first time since 2016 after losing at home to Castres at Thomond Park; Leicester Tigers are on the verge of a play-off exit; Gloucester was released; Leinster, Toulouse, Sale Sharks through

Two-time European champions Munster were knocked out of the Champions Cup for the first time in ten years as they were beaten 31-29 by Castres at Thomond Park.

Castres – who have also lost two of their opening three games in Pool 2 – got on the board early through Jeremy Fernandez’s penalty before Vuate Karawalevu headed over from close range. Munster responded in the 17th minute with a converted try from Craig Casey after a team move.

Munster completed the conversion in the 35th minute when Casey struck again, coming off the back of a rolling maul following the lineout, but Castres again met with a try from fullback Theo Chabouni to go into the break 17-12 ahead.

The home side pulled themselves back on level terms shortly after the restart when Thaakir Abrahams dived in a corner, but Jack Crowley couldn’t find the extra on the right. Edwin Edogbo then added a bonus-point try just before the hour mark to put Munster 22-17 ahead – but again Crowley was off target for the conversion.

After Tom Farrell was shown a crucial yellow card for offside, Castres produced a strong finish with tries from Geoffrey Palis and Christian Ambadiang.

With five minutes to go, Castres lock Leone Nakarawa was sent to the sin-bin, and Munster got another try when Edogbo went wide to close within two points, but just missed.

Leicester Tigers are on the verge of elimination after losing to South Africa’s Stormers

Leicester’s hopes in the Last 16 were dashed after losing to the Stormers 39-26 in Cape Town.

Early tries from Evan Roos and Andre-Hugo Venter put the hosts in control before George Pearson pulled one back.

Some Will Wand magic got the Tigers back into the game at the break and they led by six when Jamie Blamire crossed early in the second half.

However, tries from Leolin Zas and JD Schickerling put the Stormers back in front before Tom Manz scored for Leicester.

But Imad Khan denied the Tigers a bonus point when his late try dispatched the Stormers.

Instead, a bonus point lost against Harlequins on Sunday will be enough for La Rochelle to qualify and knock out Leicester.

Gloucester were relegated after losing at home to Toulon

Gloucester’s Champions Cup hopes suffered a blow when Toulon knocked them out of the competition with a 31-14 victory at Kingsholm.

The French side never looked back following early tries from Gael Drean and Mathis Ferte, and Gloucester never threatened a serious fightback.

Flanker Lewis Ludlam also put the visitors ahead in the opener as they secured a place at home in the round of 16, before Drean added an 80th-minute bonus point.

Gloucester, despite touches from Jack Clement and Tomos Williams, with George Barton converting both, were shut out, and Toulon defender Marius Domon’s goal – four conversions and a penalty – kept his side in the driving seat.

Gloucester’s defeat means Edinburgh progress from Pool Two alongside Toulon, Bath and Castres, George Skivington’s side have lost 11 of their 13 Gallagher Prem and Champions Cup games this season as even a Challenge Cup consolation spot has eluded them.

Leinster finally see off Bayonne to secure home advantage

Leinster battled to a 22-13 victory over Bayonne which gave them the opportunity to play at home in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.

Bayonne – who had lost their first three games, including against Leicester and Harlequins – took an early lead at the Stade Jean Dauger through Sireli Magala’s 14th-minute try before Harry Byrne’s penalty got Leinster, who are already in Pool 3, on the board.

After Joshua Kenny failed to take the ball and went over for a corner, Joris Segonds’ long-range penalty put the French side ahead. Thomas Clarkson then saw his 33rd minute try disallowed for a double move as Bayonne went into the break 10-3 ahead.

Bayonne’s Herschel Jantjies was shown a yellow card in the 49th minute for a deliberate knock. Leinster took advantage when Dan Sheehan slipped over in the 56th minute and Byrne nailed the conversion to bring the visitors level at 10-10.

Segonds kicked another penalty on the hour to quickly restore Bayonne’s lead, which looked to have been cleared when Jimmy O’Brien pounced on Sam Prendergast’s ball and headed down for a corner – only for his effort to be blocked by the TMO for failing to clear the ball as he was brought down over the line.

Leinster produced a strong finish when Prendergast latched on to Byrne’s sharp cross under the posts and crossed for Max Deegan in the corner to secure another win to keep their 100 per cent record at the top of the group.

The auction loses the record to Toulouse but continues anyway

Sale suffered a record loss as six-time winners Toulouse avoided a shock exit from the Champions Cup by scoring 11 tries en route to a crushing 77-7 victory.

The Sharks’ 70-point victory in the Pool One clash at Stade Toulousein easily eclipsed the club’s previous biggest defeat – a 58-8 drubbing at the hands of Wasps in 2000.

Alex Sanderson’s side, who had already entered the play-offs but were now out of the last 16, would have made it to the Top 14 with a win.

Kalvin Gourgues added Toulouse’s bonus try at the end of the first half after Emmanuel Meafou, Julien Marchand and Antoine Dupont had crossed.

Sale’s Tom Curtis converted a consolation goal of his own early in the second half before tries from Dimitri Delibes, Matthis Lebel, Thomas Ramos and Paul Graou put the hosts ahead.

After French star Dupont scored his second try of the game, Joshua Brennan and Lebel completed the scoring, with Ramos scoring 11 conversions.