Good afternoon and welcome along to our live coverage of the Champions Cup quarter-final between Munster and Toulon at Thomond Park. Kick-off is at 3.15pm and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.
Thomond Park is looking resplendent in the spring sunshine. This place will be rocking come kick-off.
Incredible finish to Connacht’s Challenge Cup quarter-final with Gloucester at the Sportsground. Heading into the final eight minutes and the visitors lead by two points. Follow the conclusion here.
TEAM NEWS: Johann van Graan has been forced to contend with a long list of injuries heading into this quarter-final, but Munster have been boosted by the return to fitness of Zebo, Conway and Scannell.
They’re joined in the backline by Sammy Arnold and Alex Wootton, who get the nod at centre and wing respectively following injuries to Chris Farrell and Keith Earls.
Conor Murray returns from his Grand Slam winning exploits with Ireland to partner Ian Keatley at half-back, with injured out-half Tyler Bleyendaal also unavailable.
Injuries to Tommy O’Donnell and Chris Cloete have opened the door for Jack O’Donoghue to start in the back row alongside captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander.
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Andrew Conway
13. Sammy Arnold
12. Rory Scannell
11. Alex Wootton
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Rhys Marshall
3. Stephen Archer
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Billy Holland
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Jack O’Donoghue
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. James Cronin
18. John Ryan
19. Gerbrandt Grobler
20. Robin Copeland
21. James Hart
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Darren Sweetnam
TEAM NEWS: As for the French galacticos, they’ve named a star-studded side containing plenty of quality and international experience.
Former All Black Ma’a Nonu comes in for Malakai Fekitoa in midfield while French out-half Francois Trinh-Duc replaces Anthony Belleau in the visitors’ starting XV.
French captain Guilhem Guirado returns in the front row while Juandre Kruger starts in the second row and South African Duane Vermeulen is named at number eight in a back row alongside Facundo Isa and Raphael Lakafia.
Chris Ashton, who last week equalled the record for tries scored in a French Top 14 season when he registered his 21st of the campaign in the rout of Clermont, starts at fullback.
Toulon:
15. Chris Ashton
14. Josua Tuisova
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Semi Radradra
10. Francois Trinh-Duc
9. Eric Escande
1. Florian Fresia
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Marcel Van Der Merwe
4. Juandre Kruger
5. Dave Attwood
6. Raphael Lakafia
7. Facundo Isa
8. Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements:
16. Anthony Etrillard
17. Xavier Chiocci
18. Emerick Setiano
19. Romain Taofifenua
20. Anthony Belleau
21. Malakai Fekitoa
22. Alby Mathewson
23. Samu Manoa.
LATE CHANGE: Toulon have made a late change to their starting XV with Anthony Belleau starting at 10 ahead of Francois Trinh-Duc, who drops to the bench.
Anthony Belleau will start at 10 for Toulon, with François Trinh-Duc dropping to the bench.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 31, 2018
Teams as announced otherwise. #MUNvRCT
The atmosphere is building at Thomond Park ahead of this hotly-anticipated meeting between two sides who have shared five European Cups between them. Ryan Bailey here to guide you through all the action, while Murray Kinsella is also in position as we bring you live coverage from Limerick throughout.
Johann van Graan keeping a close eye on Toulon’s warm-up. pic.twitter.com/EZhqsIpQgK
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 31, 2018
Not long until kick-off now, but still plenty of time to browse our pre-match offerings from Ryan Bailey, Murray Kinsella, Paul Dollery and Sean Farrell:
- ‘We’ve got to be smart, we’ve got to be physical and we’ve got to win big moments’
- ‘It’s just me. I always feel a bit better if we had a little scuffle in the game!’
- The bolt from the blue that launched the career of one of Munster’s last European champions
- ‘The opportunity came out of nowhere’: From the AIL to the Champions Cup 1/4 finals (and back again)
This will be the fourth match between the clubs, with both winning their home games in the 2010/11 pool stage while Toulon were victorious in the 2014 semi-final in Marseille.
Which way do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
Last half lap for Munster. Sold out Thomond is ready to rock. pic.twitter.com/nyNpQLQMdo
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 31, 2018
KICK OFF! We’re underway at a sold-out Thomond Park. This place is absolutely rocking.
1 mins – Toulon look to put Munster under pressure straight away as Escande kicks in behind, forcing Zebo to cover a lot of ground to cover the danger. The Munster fullback is down receiving treatment as Nigel Owens asks the TMO to look if there was a deliberate knock on.
2 mins – Good communication between the referee and TMO as they come to the conclusion that there was no deliberate knock on from Zebo, who is back to his feet, and Munster have the put in. Early drama at Thomond.
3 mins – Big statement from Toulon, as they put Archer under all sorts of pressure at the scrum and the Munster prop is pinged by Nigel Owens. The visitors go for the corner but O’Mahony arrives to the party with a trademark steal to relieve the early pressure.
5 mins – Munster living very dangerously. Zebo comes up fast but completely misses his man and Conway is forced to make a thundering hit on Josua Tuisova. Then, Rhys Marshall overthrows and this has been a very tense, scrappy start from the hosts.
5 mins – Toulon doing all the early running and they’ve come flying out of the traps. The Munster support trying their best to lift their team already but Zebo’s clearing kick is poor and the French side have another decent attacking platform.
6 mins – It’s been a while since Munster have been put under this sort of early pressure from any side at Thomond Park but their defensive, albeit a bit shaky at times, has stood firm with Conway making another crucial hit on Chris Ashton. Serious start from Toulon.
6 mins – Excellent defence this time in the line out maul from Munster as Ashton tries to force it out wide and his pass sails into touch.
Zebo struggling early on for Munster, caught out in defence on either side, possible penalty try, sliced clearing kick. Toulon need to convert pressure into score.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 31, 2018
7 mins – Munster have barely had a touch in the opening exchanges. Owens overrules his touch judge to give the hosts a lineout, leaving Guirado absolutely furious, but Toulon then snatch it back.
10 mins — Penalty! Munster 0-3 Toulon (Anthony Belleau)
On the balance of play, Toulon deservedly draw first blood through the boot of their out-half after Munster were pinged for not rolling away.
11 mins – Much better from Munster. Zebo makes the initial break after a poor Toulon clearing kick and then the forwards go through an energy-sapping passage of play, hammering away around the fringes to win the penalty, allowing Keatley to kick for the corner.
12 mins – Zebo looks to be really struggling as he receives treatment for a second time but the fullback continues for now as Munster go to the rolling maul.
13 mins – A compact and powerful rolling maul brings Munster within inches of the line but after two ferocious carries, CJ Stander’s foot is in touch and the initial chance is gone. A cracking game and there’s only 13 minutes gone.
15 mins – Munster asking all sorts of questions of the Toulon defence now. Marshall bypasses all seven forwards in the lineout to find Scannell to burst onto the ball in midfield. It’s eventually worked out right through Zebo, who kicks in behind for Conway and we’re going upstairs to check if the winger got it down.
15 mins — NO TRY! Nigel Owens asks his TMO to check just to be sure, but no luck for Munster and it’s a 22 drop out. Ashton did well to get back and cover the danger.
17 mins – Toulon win another penalty and Belleau boots them deep into Munster territory. A mile-a-minute stuff at Thomond.
18 mins — Drop goal! Munster 0-6 Toulon (Belleau)
Oh that’s glorious from the 21-year-old out-half. Munster did well to slow Toulon ball down after a series of phases around the fringes, but Belleau drops into the pocket and when he was put under pressure on his right, shifts it to his left and pops it over.
20 mins – Toulon have been mightily impressive in the first quarter of this game, with the French giants showing good structure and discipline to eek out an early lead here. They’re a well-oiled machine and already Munster are up against it.
23 mins – Munster are struggling to deal with the pace Toulon are operating at and already Zebo looks out on his feet. The visitors then win a big turnover penalty as Munster are penalised for holding on.
26 mins – An emotional departure from the Thomond Park stage for Simon Zebo as the fullback, in tears, is replaced by Darren Sweetnam. A huge ovation for the Cork native but Munster are on the back foot again.
27 mins — Munster’s line out is rock solid and from the first phase, Jack O’Donoghue embarks on a powerful, rampaging run through the middle, with Toulon forced to scramble. Keatley grubbers through for Conway and we’re going upstairs again to check if there was a clear grounding.
27 mins – Toulon filtered back but having formed the ruck on their own line, Guilhem Guirado knocks it on and Conor Murray comes around the side to pick it up and dot down. The officials are still looking at it.
TRY! Munster 7-6 Toulon (Conor Murray)
After several minutes of deliberations, the officials eventually come to the conclusion that Murray’s try should stand as the ball squirted out of the ruck. Remarkable drama at Thomond and Munster lead with Keatley adding the extras!
TRYYYYYY MUNSTERRRR!!!!!
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 31, 2018
The TMO has awarded the score after Toulon knocked on at the base of the maul and @ConorMurray_9 was on the spot to touch it down. #MUNvRCT
30 mins – Conor Murray, ever the opportunist, strikes for Munster against the run of play. A freak try in every sense but Munster, somehow, hold a one-point advantage.
31 mins – Nigel Owens is calling his TMO into action again. Sweetnam — after a superb aerial win — latches onto the loose ball and stabs it through, but is impeded and the officials award Munster the penalty.
32 mins — Penalty! Munster 10-6 Toulon (Keatley)
Another big decision goes Munster’s way and Keatley nails the penalty attempt to stretch their advantage to four points. Breathless, gripping stuff.
Toulon find themselves behind having dominated most of the possession and territory for the opening 27 minutes. They will feel extremely hard done by.
Galthié/Boudjellal post-match could be interesting.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 31, 2018
33 mins – Munster have got the bit between their teeth now. Keatley smashes Florian Fresia to force the knock on and then the hosts win a penalty on halfway.
35 mins – Conor Murray has called for the tee and is going to have a crack from the halfway line. Madcap stuff so far.
35 mins – Murray’s long-range effort is short, however, and Ashton clears.
A sad sight as Zebo limps off in tears.
38 mins – Munster’s line out has been superb in this first half and Toulon collapse the maul illegally, allowing the left boot of Rory Scannell to launch it deep into opposition territory.
HALF TIME! Munster 10-6 Toulon
Somehow, Munster lead at the break.
A madcap half of rugby. Breathless from first minute until last at Thomond.
After Toulon started with serious intent, Munster weathered the initial storm and Conor Murray’s opportunistic try completely changed the momentum, allowing the hosts to go into the break with a hard-earned 10-6 lead.
HALF-TIME: It's tense & tight at @ThomondStadium. Huge 40 minutes to go as @MunsterRugby & @RCTofficiel both go in search of a semi-final spot. #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/evC14tFbuD
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) March 31, 2018
KICK OFF! Toulon are back out early and Munster follow shortly after. A huge 40 minutes of rugby coming up.
41 mins – Keatley restarts and when Munster win possession back from Belleau’s clearing kick, the out-half tries to extend his side’s lead with a long-range drop goal but pushes it right and wide.
44 mins – The Fields of Athenry rings around Munster’s Thomond Park citadel as another big Scannell carry in midfield gives the home side front-foot ball inside the Toulon 22.
Keatley again looks in behind and his kick has Conway interested but Ashton scrambles back and has enough support for Toulon to get it away from their own line.
49 mins – Peter O’Mahony, take a bow. Once again the Munster captain rises to steal a Toulon line out and the visitors are struggling to gain a foothold in the game again after their early dominance.
49 mins – More controversy, and Munster can consider themselves a little bit unlucky there. Murray launches a towering box-kick with Sweetnam going up to contest but Owens adjudges him to have knocked on when replays showed it went backwards. Munster had worked an overlap there but it won’t count.
52 mins – Superb work again from Ashton as he comes across to beat Conway to Sweetnam’s clever chip over the top. At the other end, Alex Wootton, Sammy Arnold and Rory Scannell all make vital tackles as Munster’s defence stands firm.
53 mins — Changes: Munster have changed their entire front row as we head towards the hour mark with Niall Scannell, James Cronin and John Ryan on for Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer.
55 mins – What an impact from the replacement front row, and what a huge moment in the match. The Munster pack with a huge shove to win the scrum penalty against the head. Serious power from the front five.
55 mins — Change: Francois Trinh-Duc replaces Belleau for Toulon.
56 mins — Penalty! Munster 13-6 Toulon (Keatley)
Keatley makes no mistake to stretch Munster’s lead from the tee. A monumental effort from the front row there and the out-half delivers.
56 mins – Keatley has been very composed this afternoon, while Sam Arnold and Rory Scannell have been immense in the centre. The same can be said for O’Mahony, Murray, O’Donoghue and Conway. 24 minutes to go.
59 mins – Here come Toulon. Phase after phase, the visitors hammer away around the fringes and then look to strike out wide, but Alex Wootton produces a try-saving tackle on Semi Radradra as he looked to cross in the left corner. Munster putting everything on the line.
59 mins — Changes: Toulon have unleashed Malakai Fekitoa while Alby Mathewson is also on. Escande and Nonu the players to make way.
Meanwhile, Jack O’Donoghue receives a huge reception as he makes way for Connacht-bound Robin Copeland, who has been in excellent form in recent weeks.
60 mins — Jean Kleyn is penalised for coming in from the side after Toulon looked to make yards with the maul. The visitors eventually decide they’ll go for the points.
61 mins — Penalty! Munster 13-9 Toulon (Trinh-Duc)
The replacement out-half takes his time but makes no mistake to bring his side back to within four points.
63 mins – It’s getting a little tense inside Thomond Park now. A brilliant take from Tuisova as he gets up to collect a Murray box-kick under pressure relieves the pressure on Toulon. Keatley is then pinged for holding on on halfway.
65 mins — TRY! Munster 13-16 Toulouse (Ashton)
Trinh-Duc creates the opening with an offload out of the tackle for Bastareaud, who in turn hits the supporting Ashton for a brilliant-worked move. It all came together that time for Toulon and Munster had no answer. They trail by three points all of a sudden.
68 mins – Munster fans weren’t happy as they felt there was a forward pass in the build-up to that try, but after checking with the TMO, Nigel Owens was happy to award it. Now the onus is on the hosts to find a response.
68 mins — Penalty! Munster 13-19 Toulon (Trinh-Duc)
Toulon’s lead is now six points as Trinh-Duc, who has been heavily involved since coming on, slots over a penalty.
69 mins – Munster now chasing the game as we enter the final 10 minutes. On a knife-edge at Thomond.
72 mins – Much better from Munster as the forwards somehow steal possession back and then a penalty comes their way. Keatley needs to find a good touch and he does.
73 mins – Munster go for the maul again and they power their way towards the line, allowing Niall Scannell to dive over but Nigel Owens says they were held up. Five-metre scrum…
74 mins – Incredible work from Basteraud to hold Scannell up. This is the big opportunity, though. The Fields rings around Thomond.
75 mins — TRY! Munster 20-19 Toulon (Conway)
Incredible, absolutely incredible! Conway, out of absolutely nothing, catches Trinh-Duc’s clearing kick right on the line and then slaloms his way through the Toulon defence, showing acceleration to step inside off his line to finish under the posts. Thomond has erupted!
75 | TRYYYYYYYYY MUNNNSTTERRRRRRRR!!!!!! Andrew Conway you beautyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! #MUNvRCT
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) March 31, 2018
77 mins – Four minutes to go, Munster lead by one. And breathe.
77 mins – Munster win the scrum. My word. Three minutes left.
78 mins — Changes: Murray and Kleyn are off and Hart and Grobler are introduced for the final throes of this epic quarter-final tie. Can Munster see it out?
79 mins – Munster do enough to retain possession at the scrum. Hart kicks and Toulon have possession on the halfway line. 25 seconds remaining!
80 mins — Munster throwing everything into this defensive effort. Toulon inching forward. The clock is red.
80 mins – Unbearable tension at Thomond. The crowd urging their team to make every hit. Munster are so close.
FULL TIME! Munster 20-19 Toulon
See you in the semi-finals @MunsterRugby!#ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/0FYZtwIQ7G
— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) March 31, 2018
A truly incredible, madcap game of rugby settled by a stunning individual score from Andrew Conway as Munster advance through to the Champions Cup semi-finals to face either Clermont or Racing 92 in Bordeaux.
Full report from Thomond Park to come, while we’ll have all the reaction to a memorable quarter-final tie throughout the evening. Thanks for joining us and until next time goodbye!
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