A 75th minute penalty from Toulon’s Player of the match Marius Domon was enough for the French side to steal away what looked to be a another famous win on the road in Europe for Munster.

It was looking pretty bleak for Munster in that second half as they faced into a 24-13 deficit but credit to Clayton McMillan’s side, they played some scintillating rugby to go 24-25 in front after tries from Jack O’Donoghue and Tom Farrell.

Once Domon kick his side ahead with five minutes remaining, Munster defender their line superbly to secure what could be a crucial losing bonus point.

A frantic opening five minutes saw Calvin Nash break through midfield and he passed to Tom Farrell who made good ground before being brought to ground. Unfortunately for Munster, Farrell spilled the ball forward and Toulon cleared.

Toulon responded with more possession and territory over the next 10 minutes but a combination of poor Toulon handling and good Munster defence saw the home side come away with nothing.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Munster took the lead with a Jack Crowley penalty from in front of the posts after Craig Casey was tackled off the ball.

With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Munster won their second scrum penalty of the first half and although it was much more difficult kick for Crowley, the ball sailed through the posts to give Clayton McMillan’s men a 0-6 lead.

With four minutes remaining in the first half, Tadhg Beirne received a yellow card for what referee Karl Dickson deemed a cynical act at the breakdown.

Toulon were pounding away at the Munster line and despite some good defence from the visitors, Marius Domon went through a gap for the game’s opening try which was converted by Domon himself.

At the start of the second half, Toulon extended their lead when Ben White took advanatge of some space next to the ruck to dash over for his side’s second try. Domon’s conversion put Toulon 14-6 in front.

Munster responded brilliantly when a sweeping move saw Ben O’Connor produce an excellent pass out to Calvin Nash and the Limerick winger made no mistake with the finish. Crowley’s conversion put just one point between the sides again.

However, to round off a hectic opening 10 minutes to the second half, Toulon went over for their third try when the ball bounced kindly for Gael Drean who scored next to the posts which Domon converted.

Toulon extended their lead with a Domon penalty but on 67 minutes, Munster got their second try when JJ Hanrahan dinked a cross field kick out to Dan Kellywho offloaded well to Jack O’Donoghue and the Waterford man showed enough power to get over the line. Unfortunately Crowley’s touchline conversion went just wide.

Munster had the wind at their sails and a superb bit of play from Kelly who ran across the pitch, stretched the Toulon defence with Tom Farrell on hand to finish a great move. Crowley nailed the touchline conversion to give Munster a one point lead.

Unfortunately for Munster, Dickson pinged Munster at the breakdown and Toulon kicked the three points to take a two point lead with four minutes remaining.

It was Toulon who finished the stronger, they desperately sought a fourth try but Munster held them out to secure what could be a crucial losing bonus point.

Investec Champions Cup Round 3 Roundup

Toulon’s Marius Domon was awarded Investec Player of the Match

Munster secured a losing bonus point.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash (Kelly 54′), Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (Milne 54′), Diarmuid Barron (Scannell 48′), Michael Ala’alatoa (Ryan 54′); Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (C), Jack O’Donoghue (Quinn 54′), Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, John Ryan, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.