Champions Cup challenge is now out of Munster’s reach

Munster 29, Castres 31

It is dangerous to take something for granted and the feeling around 7.15 tonight in Thomond Park was a perfect example. Going into the fixture, Munster were heavilly expencted to advance in this season’s N, but they are now restricted to set their sights on the URC.  It was a poor performance right from the start when they conceded ten points made up of a try, a penalty and a conversion to the visitors when you would think that it should have been the home side, playing before their packed home support, that would attack from the first whistle. It took a Greig Casey to stop the rot, Crowley landed the conversion and at 7-10,  this game was up and running. A second Casey try increased the home tally but it was 12-17 after Vuate Karawalevu’s try, converted by Jeremy Fernandez to finish the first half. oming up to the break,

Munster Castre scored another try, Theo Chabouni this time getting the better of the home defence and Theo Chabouni took his time with the conversion as the first half came to a close. 

Munster really had to step up and get the next score as the secnd half kick-off and Thaakir Abrahams obliged, scoring in the corner at the Ballynanty end. Crowley again missed the conversion but it was now level at 17-17 . Another error got the home side into trouble but the try was ruled out by TMO. As the penalties count came if favour Munster,failed to make the most of them. On 55 minutes they were camped on the line but after a series of attacks but to no avail.

The Castres rearguard finally crumbled and Edwin Edogbo got over, but once again the convert was missed, this time by  JJ Hanrahan, to put Munster 22-17 in front. On 66 minutes Munster had to show some defencive work but  Castre over  with 12 minutes remaining but the Castres pack forced their way over with the conversion making the score 22-24. And worse was to come for Munster, with the visitors number fourteen Christian Ambadiang scoring another seven pointer to bring the lead to 22-31.

With four mionutes remaining JJ Hanrahan planted a penalty into the corner and Edwin Edogbo got his second try, converted by Hanrahan, but it was too late with the French side closing the door on their hosts to count out the remaining minutes and celebrating an unexpected away game.

After the game Munster coach Clayton McMillan gave an honest synopsis of the match and the performance of his team: “It is a tough pill to swallow. We did enough to win the game which makes it more disappointing. We held the ball well and there were some good opportuities but we had inslpirations of competing in the Champions Cup but nobody is to blame but ourselves,

“It really was a shocker and there were vsome ery poor performances in the Munster shirt over the 80 minutes.”

Munster: Shane Daly; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.

Castres: Theo Chabouni; Christian Ambadiang, Vuate Karawalevu, Jack Goodhue, Geoffrey Palis; Pierre Popelin, Jeremy Fernandez; Atunaisa Sokobale, Loris Zarantonello, Will Collier; Gauthier Maravat, Tom Staniforth; Baptiste Delaporte (capt), Baptiste Cope, Florent Vanverberghe. Replacements: .

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