All you need to know including TV coverage for Munster Rugby's Champions Cup clash with RC Toulon

MUNSTER Rugby's Investec Champions Cup campaign reaches a critical stage today, Sunday, when the two-time winners take on French Top 14 side RC Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol.

The game kicks off at 1pm Irish time and is live on Premier Sports TV.

Munster secured a significant victory over Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol two years ago in the Investec Champions Cup. The Irish side secured a memorable 29-18 bonus-point success on that occasion. Munster recovered from a 0-10 deficit in the opening half to claim victory. It was Munster's third victory from six previous meetings with fellow former champions Toulon.

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Toulon are currently fifth in the French Top 14 table, edged out by third-place Stade Francais on points difference. Toulon remain unbeaten at home this season. 

Their line-up for Sunday's game includes Scotland’s Ben White at scrumhalf, Italy’s Nacho Brex in centre, England prop Kyle Sinckler, French lock Charles Ollivon playing in the secondrow and England backrow Lewis Ludlam at flanker

This is Munster's third game in the pool stages of this season's Investec Champions Cup, following a heavy 40-14 away defeat to English champions Bath in their opening fixture with a 31-3 bonus point victory over Gloucester at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last month.

Munster complete their programme of pool games on Saturday next, january 17, when another French Top 14 side, Castres, visit Thomond Park, 5.30pm, live on Premier Sports.

Munster will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 28-3 defeat away to Ulster in the URC last time out when they tackle Toulon on the Côte d’Azur this Sunday lunchtime. 

Munster's starting line-up at the Felix Mayol shows 10 changes from the one which lost heavily to Ulster in Beltfast. 

Captain Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Gavin Coombes are among those coming back into the side following the interprovincial loss to Ulster.

BIG MATCH STATS:

RC Toulon lead the competition in kick metres (1849) and rank 2nd in successful goals (11).

Matéo Garcia ranks 3rd with 9 successful goals and leads the competition with 36.4 kick metres per kick.

Esteban Abadie ranks 2nd in lineout steals (2) and leads the competition with 1.6 lineout steals per 80 minutes.

RC Toulon rank 4th in lineout steals (4) and 3rd in scrum success rate (88.9%).

Munster Rugby rank 2nd in carries (286) and team possessions (99).

Gavin Coombes ranks 6th in carries (30) and 3rd in offloads (7).

Craig Casey ranks 2nd in kicks in play (24) and 5th in kick metres (606).

Munster Rugby rank 2nd in attacking ruck entries (502) and have secured 5 lineout steals (joint 2nd).

TEAMS: 

RC TOULON: Marius Domon; Gael Drean, Nacho Brex, Jeremy Sinzelle, Mathis Ferte; Tomas Albornoz, Ben White; Jean-Baptiste Gros, Teddy Baubigny, Kyle Sinckler; Charles Ollivon (capt), David Ribbans; Lewis Ludlam, Esteban Abadie, Zach Mercer. Replacements: Jeremy Toevalu, Leo Ametlla, Dany Priso, Brian Alainu'uese, Corentin Mezou, Jules Coulon, Paolo Garbisi, Setariki Tuicuvu

MUNSTER RUGBY: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O'Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Michael Ala’alatoa; Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Niall Scannell, Michael Milne, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)