WATCH: Battling Munster Rugby make do with bonus point from Champions Cup defeat to RC Toulon

MUNSTER Rugby were left with a feeling of what-might-have-been after having to make-do with taking a losing bonus point from their 27-25 defeat to RC Toulon in their Investec Champions Cup pool fixture at a sunny Stade Felci Mayol on Sunday afternoon.

A second defeat in three pool fixtures means that Munster's prospects of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup will depend on the outcome of their final fixture against Castres at Thomond Park on Saturday next, 5.30pm.

Munster were forced into a late change to their replacements with Tom Ahern withdrawn due to a neck injury. Back-rower Ruadhan Quinn took his place. Scrum-half Ethan Coughlan was also added to the replacements when fellow scrum-half Paddy Patterson received a knock during the warm-up.

The two sides shared six tries evenly in a contest that really came to life in the second half after an error-strewn opening period.

"Munster in this competition... it's never done" ️

Tom Farrell gets @Munsterrugby's 3rd try of the half pic.twitter.com/DrVMKwSqun

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) January 11, 2026

Both sides were shown a pair of yellow cards, but Toulon full-back Marius Domon's penalty with five minutes remaining ultimately proved the difference.

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Munster had led 6-0 in the final minute of the first half, but Toulon ultimately led at the break through a converted Domon try.

The Irish province fought back to lead 25-24 going into the final minutes after second-half scores from Calvin Nash, Jack O'Donoghue and Tom Farrell but skipper Tadhg Beirne was penalised at the breakdown to give Domon the crucial shot at the posts.

"Back to 15 and straight into 5th gear" ️

Calvin Nash goes over for Munster's first try of the afternoon! pic.twitter.com/nzkAyCQ1Gg

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) January 11, 2026

Toulon are now third in Pool 2, still behind Bath and Edinburgh, with the Irish province in the fourth and final qualifying place but level on points with Gloucester and just one ahead of Castres before the French side's visit to Limerick next weekend.

A low-scoring first half between the two sides with five European crowns between them was littered with errors.

The hosts in particular struggled with their handling throughout.

This one is not done just yet

Jack O'Donoghue finishes off a @Munsterrugby move to set up an exciting last 10 minutes in France! pic.twitter.com/c25DMi2buy

— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) January 11, 2026

In the wake of consecutive Irish interprovincial defeats against Leinster and Ulster, Munster's breakdown and defensive work in the first half will have pleased head coach Clayton McMillan and a pair of Jack Crowley penalties had given them a 6-0 lead going into the half's final five minutes. 

However, Toulon cranked up the pressure just before the break and Munster captain Tadhg Beirne was sent to the sin bin before former England lock David Ribbans had a score chalked off for a double movement.

However, Pierre Mignoni's side were not to be denied and in the final minute of the half they took the lead for the first time when Domon was put over by Jeremy Sinzelle and the Toulon full-back converted his own try for 7-6.

Toulon increased their advantage just three minutes after the restart with scrum-half Ben White breaking through an attempted tackle to score.

To their credit, a battling Munster side responded impressively with a try of their own through Limerick winger Calvin Nash. However, Toulon hit back emphatically and Drean's excellent chip, chase and gather put Toulon back in control after Alex Nankivell was sent to the sin-bin.

Both sides were down to 14 players when Toulon's Esteban Abadie was also yellow-careded soon after.

A Dormon penalty for the home side was followed by two tries in five minutes which put Munster ahead once again.

With 13 minutes remaining, flanker Jack O'Donoghue scored after JJ Hanrahan's cross-kick had been gathered by Shane Daly, before Nankivell put his centre partner Tom Farrell over for the try.

Crowley's conversion of the second try put Munster 25-24 ahead, but the advantage lasted just three minutes with Dormon's 76th-minute penalty ultimately proving decisive.

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: Paolo Garbisi for Albornoz (injured, 28 mins); Albornoz for Garbisi (39 mins); Dany Priso for Gros (49 mins); Brian Alainu’uese for Ribbans (55 mins); Corentin Mézou for Sinckler, Leo Meetlla for Baubugny (both 76 mins).

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 for Barron (45 mins); Ruadhan Quinn for Edogbo; Michael Milne for Ala’alatoa, John Ryan for Loughman (all 54 mins); Dan Kelly for Nash (55 mins); JJ Hanrahan for O’Connor (56 mins); Ethan Coughlan for Casey (72 mins).

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)