RED MISS

Munster can't hold on in France

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MUNSTER put in a brave display in their 27-25 defeat to Toulon yesterday, picking up a losing Champions Cup bonus point at the Felix Mayol.

The Reds had been a point ahead going into the closing stages when referee Karl Dickson penalised Tom Farrell for interference at a ruck, allowing Toulon's Marius Domon to land three points.

Munster had survived two yellow cards, scored three tries, and with Castres at home next weekend are almost certain to make the knockout stages.

The match took an age to settle into a playing pattern other than Toulon belting it long at every opportunity and Munster trying to shake off some handling errors.

Jack Crowley opted to fire 17th-minute and 30th-minute penalties at the posts as the last team to have won a Champions Cup pool game at Felix Mayol were six points up just after the half hour.

Edwin Edogbo had been extraordinary in defence to this point, Gavin Coombes, Tadhg Beirne noticeable too, while a remarkable 75-metre fly-hack by Farrell stopped in the Toulon goal area only for the cavalry charge chase to be won by the home side. Farrell was penalised for a block and Toulon began an end-of-thehalf siege that saw Munster initially holding their line before a cynical Beirne intervention to prevent a score saw him yellow-carded.