Munster's Jack Crowley. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Hello all, and welcome to today’s coverage of Munster and Toulon in the Champions Cup.
Clayton McMillan’s side are in the Stade Félix Mayol looking to banish the hurt of that dreadful performance against Ulster last week, and get a result in the European competition. Munster won when they came to this stadium last January and will be hoping for a similar outcome this time around.
We’ll have the team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 1pm kick-off so do stay with us and let us know your thoughts on today’s game in the comments.
11 Jan
12:22PM
Munster have made 10 changes for today’s game. Jean Kleyn (calf), Alex Kendellen (ankle) and John Hodnett (thumb) are all unavailable for selection.
In other news today, the Challenge Cup game between Ulster and the Cheetahs has been postponed until further notice.
Following a pitch inspection by the Toyota Cheetahs v Ulster Rugby match day referee Kevin Bralley, his decision is that the pitch is unplayable. His recommendation to EPCR, Toyota Cheetahs and Ulster Rugby is that the pitch at Dukes Rugby is not safe for today’s fixture to take… pic.twitter.com/QBYwXwszou
And we are away! Munster earn a scrum for a knock-on.
11 Jan
1:04PM
3 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Good scrum from Munster. Calvin Nash gets down to the Toulon 22 and Toulon come roaring back with interest to the opposition 22/
11 Jan
1:05PM
4 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster line out and the throw is good. Good start from the visitors in the set-pieces as Nash looks to be in a bit of discomfort with his hand. But it looks like he will continue.
Jack Crowley releases a kick down the middle and Munster hold well when Toulon come back with the reply.
11 Jan
1:07PM
5 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Ball goes out on the full and Munster have another line-out.
Again, they retain and get the ball out to Crowley to ignite another attack. But they struggle in the breakdown, Craig Casey can’t get in and it’s a penalty to Toulon. They’re heading for the Munster corner.
11 Jan
1:09PM
8 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster penalised in the line-out for getting their numbers wrong. Toulon keep possession but the move ends in a Munster scrum for a knock-on.
11 Jan
1:11PM
10 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster keep the ball from the scrum but an attempted kick pass from Casey doesn’t go to hand and Toulon will have the ball back.
11 Jan
1:13PM
12 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Another successful Munster scrum and this time, Casey releases the ball through the hands but the resultant kick goes out on the full. A bit scrappy from Munster so far.
11 Jan
1:14PM
13 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Toulon win their line-out but Munster triumph in the maul, forcing the turnover and that should provide a big boost as they set up for another scrum.
11 Jan
1:16PM
15 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster win a penalty and Crowley boots the ball forward for territory. Another good line-out follows but there’s a Munster knock-on after the play transfers to the far wing.
Both sides struggling to get some continuity in their play so far.
11 Jan
1:17PM
16 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Error from Toulon after the scrum almost sees Munster race through with some miscommunication seeing the ball spill loosely.
Munster get a penalty and it looks like they’re going for the posts to put some points on the board.
And the visitors take the lead with a routine kick from the Munster out-half. That might settle things now.
11 Jan
1:21PM
20 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Shane Daly gets on the ball in midfield for Munster but the hosts turn the ball over. Kyle Sinckler makes a gain for Toulon and they push Munster down into the corner.
Ben O’Connor gets the kick away but not terribly far and Toulon will set up to go again.
11 Jan
1:22PM
20 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Toulon have to repeat the line-out and the referee is happy with the second one. Munster hold up the initial maul but Toulon recycle and push forward again.
11 Jan
1:23PM
22 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
A Munster boot drives the ball forward and creates a mad dash for the ball. Nash tries to get there but Gaël Drean slides over to secure the ball and prevent a Munster try.
11 Jan
1:24PM
23 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
O’Connor gets stung by the unpredictable bounce of the ball and it’s a line-out for Toulon in an inviting position.
11 Jan
1:25PM
23 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Another knock-on. This time, it’s the Toulon number eight Zach Mercer. Handling has been poor from both teams. No real flow to the game still.
11 Jan
1:27PM
24 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Casey box kick tries to find Nash but it’s incomplete and Toulon regain possession after a Tadhg Beirne knock-on.
Another scrum on the way.
11 Jan
1:28PM
26 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Toulon on the attack and they’re closing in on the five-metre line.
11 Jan
1:29PM
26 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Munster scrum!
Another big defensive win for Munster on the ground. But they need to start building some forward momentum now.
Casey puts in again.
11 Jan
1:31PM
27 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Brilliant carry from Edwin Edogbo. Munster clear it down the field but Toulon are coming back again.
Fineen Wycherley steps in to the scrum-half role to get the ball out and another attempted box-kick fails to stick as O’Connor can’t get up to claim.
11 Jan
1:32PM
28 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Munster’s Jack O’Donoghue could be in trouble for a high tackle on Tomas Albornoz. The TMO is checking.
11 Jan
1:33PM
28 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
The referee is happy that there is no head to head contact and it will just be a penalty for Toulon as Paolo Garbisi comes in to take over as out-half while Albornoz goes off for a HIA.
11 Jan
1:35PM
29 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Toulon punished for not releasing as Edogbo gets down and makes life hard for them. Another big win for Munster as Toulon commit another knock-on from Mathis Ferte.
Another bit of daylight between the sides as Crowley finds his range again.
Munster add to that with another big result in the breakdown. Gavin Coombes gets over the ball brilliantly and it’s a penalty to Munster.
11 Jan
1:40PM
34 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Toulon are in the corner looking to strike just before half-time. They’ll go for the maul again.
11 Jan
1:41PM
36 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Yellow card for Beirne as Toulon are now within inches. Daly intercepts the ball but the referee will bring it back for a Toulon penalty. Looks like they will tap, go and try to bundle over.
11 Jan
1:45PM
37 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Toulon get in for a try by David Ribbans but it’s ruled out by the referee as the tackle on him by Daly had been complete and he rolled over to touch the ball down.
But it’s a penalty for Toulon so Munster have more work to do.
It was really just a matter of time as Munster concede a try just before half-time while down to 14 players. It’s the Toulon full-back Marius Domon who provides the score to compliment all that pressure in Munster territory.
They will take the lead into the second half after Munster had the advantage following two Jack Crowley penalties.
Munster will also start the second period with their captain Tadhg Beirne as he continues to wait out his time in the bin.
That was bad from Munster and Michael Ala’alatoa will be kicking himself for missing that tackle on Ben White who shakes off the attention easily and races through under the posts.
Domon converts again and that is not the start that Munster wanted to the second half.
Nash provides as he collects a super pass out wide from O’Connor and races in along the corner. O’Connor looks a bit winded and receives treatment on the field as Crowley keeps his kick straight and true to reduce the gap to just one.
Gaël Drean reads the bounce of the ball perfectly while Nash is caught flat-footed. The Toulon winger dances around him and sprints under the posts for an easy conversion.
Another disaster.
11 Jan
2:20PM
Marius Domon goes over for the opening try of the game 🏉
With all that was going on, Munster made a change earlier with Niall Scannell coming in for Diarmuid Barron.
11 Jan
2:22PM
55 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Another yellow card for Munster. Just as Beirne was back, Alex Nankivell is gone.
11 Jan
2:24PM
56 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Toulon threaten again but Munster win it back and Casey brings some relief with a long clearance.
11 Jan
2:26PM
56 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Munster changes: Michael Milne, John Ryan, Ruadhán Quinn and Dan Kelly replace Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jack O’Donoghue and Calvin Nash.
Quinn was a late addition to the replacements for Tom Ahern.
11 Jan
2:28PM
60 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Micahel Milne penalised at the breakdown and Toulon get the penalty.
11 Jan
2:30PM
61 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
A break for Munster as Toulon knock the ball forward and they will put in for the scrum. There’s a pause in the play as Jack O’Donoghue gets some treatment on the field.
11 Jan
2:33PM
61 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Scrappy play as Toulon get the penalty. O’Donoghue protests with the referee as he gets to his feet.
Domon is going for the posts.
11 Jan
2:34PM
65 mins: Toulon 24-13 Munster
No trouble for the full-back as he extends the gap between the sides.
More Munster changes: Brian Gleeson and JJ Hanrahan come in for Coombes and O’Connor.
11 Jan
2:36PM
67 mins: Toulon 24-13 Munster
Munster could be in here. A huge attack from the visitors. A try is surely imminent here.
Tom Farrell is the supplier this time after Hanrahan blocked down a clearance. Casey gets on the loose ball and a quick pass inside to Farrell sees him roll over for the score.
Crowley adds the extras from around the same position where he missed the last conversion.
11 Jan
2:45PM
75 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
Toulon go back in front after a Domon penalty. Can Munster rally again?
11 Jan
2:48PM
78 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
Toulon are down in Munster’s corner looking to kill out the clock now.
11 Jan
2:49PM
80 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
The bonus point try is inches away. Munster under huge pressure to keep them out.
11 Jan
2:50PM
81 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
Referee brings the ball back for a Munster offside.
It’s a losing bonus point for Clayton McMillan’s side but they will have regrets from today’s mixed performance.
Two Jack Crowley penalties gave the early advantage but conceding a try just before half-time was a blow.
They conceded again early in the second half when Ben White got through too easily. And although Calvin Nash responded, they conceded a third try to Gael Drean.
Tries from Jack O’Donoghue and Tom Farrell briefly gave Munster the lead but Toulon were able to keep their noses in front when Marius Domon sent over a penalty.
One positive, however, for Munster is preventing a bonus point try for Toulon right at the death.
11 Jan
3:03PM
"Munster in this competition... it's never done" 🗣️🔴
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As it happened: Toulon 27-25 Munster, Champions Cup
Hello all, and welcome to today’s coverage of Munster and Toulon in the Champions Cup.
Clayton McMillan’s side are in the Stade Félix Mayol looking to banish the hurt of that dreadful performance against Ulster last week, and get a result in the European competition. Munster won when they came to this stadium last January and will be hoping for a similar outcome this time around.
We’ll have the team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 1pm kick-off so do stay with us and let us know your thoughts on today’s game in the comments.
Munster have made 10 changes for today’s game. Jean Kleyn (calf), Alex Kendellen (ankle) and John Hodnett (thumb) are all unavailable for selection.
Munster:
Replacements:
Toulon:
Replacements:
As always, some essential pre-match reading here:
In other news today, the Challenge Cup game between Ulster and the Cheetahs has been postponed until further notice.
Call it here. How do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
The teams are heading out now. Almost ready to rock.
Kick Off! Toulon v Munster
1 min: Toulon 0-0 Munster
And we are away! Munster earn a scrum for a knock-on.
3 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Good scrum from Munster. Calvin Nash gets down to the Toulon 22 and Toulon come roaring back with interest to the opposition 22/
4 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster line out and the throw is good. Good start from the visitors in the set-pieces as Nash looks to be in a bit of discomfort with his hand. But it looks like he will continue.
Jack Crowley releases a kick down the middle and Munster hold well when Toulon come back with the reply.
5 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Ball goes out on the full and Munster have another line-out.
Again, they retain and get the ball out to Crowley to ignite another attack. But they struggle in the breakdown, Craig Casey can’t get in and it’s a penalty to Toulon. They’re heading for the Munster corner.
8 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster penalised in the line-out for getting their numbers wrong. Toulon keep possession but the move ends in a Munster scrum for a knock-on.
10 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster keep the ball from the scrum but an attempted kick pass from Casey doesn’t go to hand and Toulon will have the ball back.
12 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Another successful Munster scrum and this time, Casey releases the ball through the hands but the resultant kick goes out on the full. A bit scrappy from Munster so far.
13 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Toulon win their line-out but Munster triumph in the maul, forcing the turnover and that should provide a big boost as they set up for another scrum.
15 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Munster win a penalty and Crowley boots the ball forward for territory. Another good line-out follows but there’s a Munster knock-on after the play transfers to the far wing.
Both sides struggling to get some continuity in their play so far.
16 mins: Toulon 0-0 Munster
Error from Toulon after the scrum almost sees Munster race through with some miscommunication seeing the ball spill loosely.
Munster get a penalty and it looks like they’re going for the posts to put some points on the board.
Toulon 0-3 Munster (Jack Crowley Penalty)
And the visitors take the lead with a routine kick from the Munster out-half. That might settle things now.
20 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Shane Daly gets on the ball in midfield for Munster but the hosts turn the ball over. Kyle Sinckler makes a gain for Toulon and they push Munster down into the corner.
Ben O’Connor gets the kick away but not terribly far and Toulon will set up to go again.
20 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Toulon have to repeat the line-out and the referee is happy with the second one. Munster hold up the initial maul but Toulon recycle and push forward again.
22 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
A Munster boot drives the ball forward and creates a mad dash for the ball. Nash tries to get there but Gaël Drean slides over to secure the ball and prevent a Munster try.
23 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
O’Connor gets stung by the unpredictable bounce of the ball and it’s a line-out for Toulon in an inviting position.
23 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Another knock-on. This time, it’s the Toulon number eight Zach Mercer. Handling has been poor from both teams. No real flow to the game still.
24 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Casey box kick tries to find Nash but it’s incomplete and Toulon regain possession after a Tadhg Beirne knock-on.
Another scrum on the way.
26 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Toulon on the attack and they’re closing in on the five-metre line.
26 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Munster scrum!
Another big defensive win for Munster on the ground. But they need to start building some forward momentum now.
Casey puts in again.
27 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Brilliant carry from Edwin Edogbo. Munster clear it down the field but Toulon are coming back again.
Fineen Wycherley steps in to the scrum-half role to get the ball out and another attempted box-kick fails to stick as O’Connor can’t get up to claim.
28 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Munster’s Jack O’Donoghue could be in trouble for a high tackle on Tomas Albornoz. The TMO is checking.
28 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
The referee is happy that there is no head to head contact and it will just be a penalty for Toulon as Paolo Garbisi comes in to take over as out-half while Albornoz goes off for a HIA.
29 mins: Toulon 0-3 Munster
Toulon punished for not releasing as Edogbo gets down and makes life hard for them. Another big win for Munster as Toulon commit another knock-on from Mathis Ferte.
Toulon 0-6 Munster (Jack Crowley penalty)
33 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Another bit of daylight between the sides as Crowley finds his range again.
Munster add to that with another big result in the breakdown. Gavin Coombes gets over the ball brilliantly and it’s a penalty to Munster.
34 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Toulon are in the corner looking to strike just before half-time. They’ll go for the maul again.
36 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Yellow card for Beirne as Toulon are now within inches. Daly intercepts the ball but the referee will bring it back for a Toulon penalty. Looks like they will tap, go and try to bundle over.
37 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Toulon get in for a try by David Ribbans but it’s ruled out by the referee as the tackle on him by Daly had been complete and he rolled over to touch the ball down.
But it’s a penalty for Toulon so Munster have more work to do.
38 mins: Toulon 0-6 Munster
Another Toulon penalty for a Munster knock-on.
TRY! Toulon 7-6 Munster (Marius Domon ’39)
Half-Time! Toulon 7-6 Munster
Toulon 7-6 Munster
Well, that was coming.
It was really just a matter of time as Munster concede a try just before half-time while down to 14 players. It’s the Toulon full-back Marius Domon who provides the score to compliment all that pressure in Munster territory.
They will take the lead into the second half after Munster had the advantage following two Jack Crowley penalties.
Munster will also start the second period with their captain Tadhg Beirne as he continues to wait out his time in the bin.
Toulon 7-6 Munster
Teams are back out, ready to go again.
Second half: Toulon 7-6 Munster
42 mins: Toulon 7-6 Munster
Toulon start as they finished the first half and Munster are back defending deep in their territory again.
TRY! Toulon 14-6 Munster (Ben White ’43)
44 mins: Toulon 14-6 Munster
That was bad from Munster and Michael Ala’alatoa will be kicking himself for missing that tackle on Ben White who shakes off the attention easily and races through under the posts.
Domon converts again and that is not the start that Munster wanted to the second half.
TRY! Toulon 14-13 Munster (Calvin Nash ’46)
48 mins: Toulon 14-13 Munster
And just like that, Munster are back in this!
Nash provides as he collects a super pass out wide from O’Connor and races in along the corner. O’Connor looks a bit winded and receives treatment on the field as Crowley keeps his kick straight and true to reduce the gap to just one.
TRY! Toulon 21-13 Munster (Gaël Drean ’50)
51 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
And just like THAT, Toulon strike again.
Gaël Drean reads the bounce of the ball perfectly while Nash is caught flat-footed. The Toulon winger dances around him and sprints under the posts for an easy conversion.
Another disaster.
54 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
With all that was going on, Munster made a change earlier with Niall Scannell coming in for Diarmuid Barron.
55 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Another yellow card for Munster. Just as Beirne was back, Alex Nankivell is gone.
56 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Toulon threaten again but Munster win it back and Casey brings some relief with a long clearance.
56 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Munster changes: Michael Milne, John Ryan, Ruadhán Quinn and Dan Kelly replace Jeremy Loughman, Michael Ala’alatoa, Jack O’Donoghue and Calvin Nash.
Quinn was a late addition to the replacements for Tom Ahern.
60 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Micahel Milne penalised at the breakdown and Toulon get the penalty.
61 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
A break for Munster as Toulon knock the ball forward and they will put in for the scrum. There’s a pause in the play as Jack O’Donoghue gets some treatment on the field.
61 mins: Toulon 21-13 Munster
Scrappy play as Toulon get the penalty. O’Donoghue protests with the referee as he gets to his feet.
Domon is going for the posts.
65 mins: Toulon 24-13 Munster
No trouble for the full-back as he extends the gap between the sides.
More Munster changes: Brian Gleeson and JJ Hanrahan come in for Coombes and O’Connor.
67 mins: Toulon 24-13 Munster
Munster could be in here. A huge attack from the visitors. A try is surely imminent here.
TRY! Toulon 24-18 Munster (Jack O’Donoghue ’67)
71 mins: Toulon 24-18 Munster
Brilliant from Munster as they switch the play from one wing to the other. Hanrahan feeds O’Donoghue who uses all of his strength to barrel over.
Crowley misses the conversion but we’re in for a grandstand finish regardless.
TRY! Toulon 24-25 Munster (Tom Farrell ’72)
73 mins: Toulon 24-25 Munster
What a response from Munster?
Tom Farrell is the supplier this time after Hanrahan blocked down a clearance. Casey gets on the loose ball and a quick pass inside to Farrell sees him roll over for the score.
Crowley adds the extras from around the same position where he missed the last conversion.
75 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
Toulon go back in front after a Domon penalty. Can Munster rally again?
78 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
Toulon are down in Munster’s corner looking to kill out the clock now.
80 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
The bonus point try is inches away. Munster under huge pressure to keep them out.
81 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
Referee brings the ball back for a Munster offside.
80 mins: Toulon 27-25 Munster
Toulon held up.
Full-Time! Toulon 27-25 Munster
Toulon 27-25 Munster
It’s a losing bonus point for Clayton McMillan’s side but they will have regrets from today’s mixed performance.
Two Jack Crowley penalties gave the early advantage but conceding a try just before half-time was a blow.
They conceded again early in the second half when Ben White got through too easily. And although Calvin Nash responded, they conceded a third try to Gael Drean.
Tries from Jack O’Donoghue and Tom Farrell briefly gave Munster the lead but Toulon were able to keep their noses in front when Marius Domon sent over a penalty.
One positive, however, for Munster is preventing a bonus point try for Toulon right at the death.
Well, that’s all from us, folks. Stick around for Ciarán Kennedy’s match report live from Toulon.
We hope you enjoyed today’s coverage and we look forward to having you with us again soon.
Until next time, good luck!
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Champions Cup Minute-by-Minute Munster Rugby Toulon Rugby