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Investec Champions Cup
Munster (12) 29
Tries: Casey 2, Abrahams, Edogbo 2 Cons: Crowley 2
Castres (17) 31
Tries: Karawalevu, Chabouni, Palis, Ambadiang Cons: Fernandez 2, Herve 2 Pens: Fernandez
Munster crashed out of this season’s Champions Cup as they were edged by Castres in a compelling Pool Two game at Thomond Park.
The French side led 17-12 at half-time despite Munster’s Craig Casey replying to Vuate Karawalevu’s early score with two tries of his own.
A see-saw second-half saw Castres emerge victorious, with Theo Chabouni, Geoffrey Palis and Christian Amabadiang crossing for the visitors and Thaakir Abrahams and Edwin Edogbo (2) the try-scorers for the home side after the break.
Jeremy Fernandez and Enzo Herve notched four conversions between them, a contribution that proved crucial given Jack Crowley’s inconsistent night off the tee for Munster.
It was a sixth success for Castres in 20 European encounters between the sides, the most any two clubs have contested in continental competition.
Castres progress to the knockout stages of the competition after their second win of the campaign while Munster could yet compete in the Challenge Cup depending on the outcome of Gloucester’s meeting with Toulon.
Frantic first period
The visitors had lost on all eight of their previous visits to Limerick but appeared determined to end that sequence during a frenetic first half.
An early Fernandez penalty put Castres ahead and the French side increased their advantage when Karawalevu darted through, powered past Gavin Coombes and stretched sufficiently to score, Fernandez adding the extras.
Munster responded strongly when Casey, named in the team after overcoming a shoulder injury sustained in last week’s loss to Toulon, dived over after accepting an offload from Jack O’Donoghue, with Crowley kicking the conversion.
The score owed much to the hands of Abrahams, who showed good composure to gather a pass from Alex Nankivell which had a bit much on it.
Casey grabbed his second score four minutes before the break when he took a pass from Niall Scannell and dotted down in the corner after the Munster maul had edged closer to the line.
Castres bounced back though and ensured they went in at the interval five points to the good thanks to Chabouni’s score, which was given the all-clear by the television match official (TMO).
The full-back executed an exquisite chip over the home defence and raced between two Munster players to take possession. O’Donoghue appeared to have things under control but the ball hit his knee and rolled beyond the tryline, where Chabouni touched down.
Action-packed second half
After half-time, Munster restored parity through Abrahams’ score, the fleet-footed wing scurrying down the right to cross.
The home side had a major let-off when Santaigo Arata ran in after Castres broke the length of the pitch, but the score was ruled out for a forward pass in the build-up after consultation between the match officials.
Just after the hour mark Edogbo rolled over the line to put five between the sides, with Crowley’s poor night with the boot continuing as he was unable to contribute the additional points.
Munster were reduced to 14 when Tom Farrell was shown a yellow card for dropping his weight on Ambadiang’s leg and their opponents made the most of their numerical advantage, Palis going over in the corner for their third try after collecting a looping pass.
Herve’s superb conversion from wide put his team two in front and with eight minutes left on the clock worse was to come for the Irish side.
An outstanding cross-field pass picked out Ambadiang and he powered past Shane Daly to ground the ball in the corner. Herve’s successful kick gave the visitors a nine-point cushion.
There was more drama as Leone Nakarawa was sent to the bin as Munster were restored to 15 and then Edogbo barged over for his second try, Crowley converting to reduce the deficit to two, but it proved a mere consolation.
Munster: S Daly; T Abrahams, T Farrell, A Nankivell, B O’Connor; J Crowley, C Casey; J Loughman, N Scannell, M Ala’alatoa, J Kleyn, F Wycherley, T Beirne (C), J O’Donoghue, G Coombes.
Replacements: L Barron, M Milne, O Jager, E Edogbo, B Gleeson, E Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, D Kelly.
Castres: T Chabouni; C Ambadiang, V Karawalevu, J Goodhue, G Palis; P Popelin, J Fernandez; A Sokobale, L Zarantonello, W Collier; G Maravat, T Staniforth; B Delaporte (capt), B Cope, F Vanverberghe.
Replacements: T Durand-Pradere, A Tichit, A Azar, L Nakarawa, T Ardron, S Arata, E Herve, A Manu.
