Munster gain vital bonus losing point against Toulon to take into next weekend's clash with Castres

Toulon 27 

Munster 25 

Munster were denied victory by a late controversial penalty against Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol on Sunday, but they did earn a losing bonus point that could prove crucial this time next week.

Munster showed their attacking intent as early as the second minute when some excellent passing in midfield sent Calvin Nash hurtling through a gap, and while Tom Farrell supported him, when the centre looked for the killer pass the ball spilled, in what was a let off for the home side.

A Toulon player was guilty of tackling a Munster man off the ball in the 16th minute, which presented Jack Crowley with an opportunity to give the visitors the early lead from the tee, and he duly obliged by slotting the kick from 30m.

On the half hour mark we spotted the rare sight of the Munster front row winning a scrum penalty and Crowley once again split the posts to make it 0-6 to the Munster men.

In the 34th minute Toulon were the beneficiaries of a bit of a hometown decision when Tom Farrell was blown for blocking the path of Marius Domon after a chip through. From the resultant lineout Toulon battered the Munster line, and while they were repelled Tadhg Beirne was yellow carded.

From the next move Shane Daly made a sublime try saving tackle on second row David Ribbans, but the hosts kept coming and eventually got through a gap when Domon sliced his way beyond Jeremy Loughman’s reach to score, to make it 7-6 at half time.

Toulon started the second half still up a man and they capitalised when scrum half Ben White stepped Michael Ala’alatoa to go in under the posts in the 44th minute.

Munster were immediately back to the full compliment, and they straight away scored a fantastic try when Crowley put Ben O’Connor through a gap and the winger sent a wonderful looping pass into Nash’s breadbasket to score in the right corner.

Toulon struck straight back when a speculative chip over the top by Gael Drean bounced perfectly into his arms and he had the simple task of running it in under the posts in the 50th minute.

Alex Nankivell was then sinbinned in the 55th minute in what was a huge blow for Munster, although Toulon openside Esteban Abadie soon followed him.

The Munster discipline, or rather lack of it, was putting them under huge pressure, with Domon taking advantage to add three more points from a penalty in the 65th minute.

Munster needed a moment and they got it when Crowley found Dan Kelly on the right wing and he popped it back to Jack O’Donoghue to score, as Toulon captain Charles Ollivon was sinbinned.

The traveling support were in full voice in the 73rd minute when Dan Kelly and Nankivell brilliantly combined to put Tom Farrell over, and Crowley held his nerve to convert from the touchline to give Munster an unlikely lead.

In the 75th minute Farrell was victim of an incredibly harsh call and Domon once again split the posts to win it for Toulon, with Munster having to repel one last attack to ensure they left with their hard-earned bonus point.

Scorers for Toulon: M Domon (1 try, 2 pens, 3 cons), B White, G Drean (1 try each) 

Munster: J Crowley (2 pens, 2 cons), C Nash, J O’Donoghue, T Farrell (1 try each) 

Toulon: M Domon; G Drean, N Brex, J Sinzelle, M Ferte; T Albornoz, B White; J-B Gros, T Baubigny, K Sinckler; C Ollivon (capt), D Ribbans; L Ludlam, E Abadie, Z Mercer Subs: F Garbisi for T Albornoz (27), T Albornoz for F Garbisi (37), D Priso for J-B Gros (47), B Alainu'uese for D Ribbans (56), J Toevalu for T Baubigny (60) 

Munster: S Daly; C Nash, T Farrell, A Nankivell, B O'Connor; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, D Barron, M Ala’alatoa; E Edogbo, F Wycherley; T Beirne (capt), J O’Donoghue, G Coombes.

Subs: N Scannell for D Barron (44), M Milne, J Ryan, R Quinn and D Kelly for J Loughman, M Ala’alatoa, E Edogbo and C Nash (55), B Gleeson and JJ Hanrahan for G Coombes and B O’Connor.

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU).