A disappointing 29-31 home European defeat at the hands of Castres saw Munster exit this season’s Champions Cup at the culmination of the pool stages.

Castres took the lead after just three minutes when Jeremy Fernandez kicked his side ahead with a well struck penalty after Munster were penalised during a long defensive set.

Munster went further behind after 11 minutes when Vuate Karawalevu went through a gap in the Munster defence all too easily to score the match’s first try. Fernandez converted to give Castres an early 0-10 lead.

Approaching the 20 minute mark, Munster got back into the game with a well worked move. The ball went through the hands to Thaakir Abrahams and the speedy South African offloaded to Jack O’Donoghue before the Waterford man put Casey away with the final pass. Casey was brought down before the line but his momentum carried him over. Jack Crowley converted to put just three points between the sides.

Castres looked to get further ahead but captain Tadhg Beirne got over for a trademark turnover just when it looked like the French side would convert.

Munster took the lead with five minutes remaining in the first half when Casey was fed the ball on the blindside of a rolling maul. The scrum-half dived over in the corner to secure Munster’s second try and a 12-10 lead as Crowley’s conversion attempt was timed out by referee Matthew Carley.

Some poor errors in the Munster defence led to Castres’ second try. First, a missed tackle brought Castres deep into Munster territory before a chip over the top in plenty of space saw Munster unable to claim the ball before Theo Chabouni touched down under the posts. Fernandez’ conversion put Castres 12-17 in front which was the score going in at the half-time break.

With six minutes played in the second half, Munster got their third try. Casey quick tapped which brought play just metres from the Castres line before the ball was spread wide to Abrahams who used pace and power to score in the corner. Unfortunately, Crowley’s touchline conversion went wide.

Castres looked to have taken the lead again with an excellent flowing move but thankfully for Munster, the try was ruled out for a forward pass in the build up.

Munster scored their fourth try through Edwin Edogbo, who made a big impact in the second half. Castres stole a Munster lineout in their own 22 however the bouncing ball favoured Munster and Edogbo was first on the scene to snatch the ball before grounding. Crowley’s conversion was wide as Munster took a five point lead.

With 17 minutes remaining, Munster suffered a blow when Tom Farrell received a yellow card for a dangerous clearout on a Castres player at he breakdown. From the resulting penalty, Castres kicked to the corner but Wycherley’s steal attempt went forward which saw the French side get the put in to the scrum. From here, Castres knocked on when they passed from the base of the scrum but Carley penalised Munster for offside so the French side opted for a scrum again. This time, Castres scored when they spread the ball wide to Geoffrey Palis who powered through a tackle attempt to score in the corner. The touchline conversion from Enzo Herve sailed through the posts as Castres took a two point lead with 11 minutes remaining.

It got worse for Munster, a cross field kick to Christian Ambadiang saw the flying winger score in the corner which they converted to give Castres a 31-22 lead.

Munster fought back with another try from Edogbo which was converted by Crowley but it wasn’t enough as Castres held on to achieve a deserved two point win.

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O’Connor (Hanrahan 57′); Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (Milne 57′), Niall Scannell (L Barron 50′), Michael Ala’alatoa (Jager 57′); Jean Kleyn (Edogbo 50′), Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (C), Jack O’Donoghue (Gleeson 50′), Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.