Munster Rugby's Champions Cup dreams shattered as Castres storm Thomond Park

MUNSTER Rugby's Investect Champions Cup dreams were shattered at Thomond Park on Saturday evening as French Top 14 side secured a dramatic 31-29 victory in front of an official attendance of 20,043.

It was the first time in nine attempts that Castres had won in Limerick, but they were good value for this success in this the 20th meeting between the sides in Europe.

It is the first time since 2020 that two-time winners Munster have missed out on the knock-out stages of Europe's premier clubb rugby competition.

Munster, who trailed 12-17 at half-time, outscored their visitors by five tries to four. Scrum-half Craig Casey, who was an injry doubt earlier in the week due to a shoulder injury, grabbed a brace as did back-row Edwin Edogbo, while winger Thaakir Abrahams also dotted down.

The French side had tries through Vuate Karawalevu, Theo Chabouni, Geoffrey Palis and Christian Ambadiang.

Jeremy Fernandez and Enzo Herve executed four conversions between them for the visitors, while Jack Crowley landed two for Munster. 

Castres progress to the knock-out stages of the competition after their second win of the campaign.

While Munster have missed out on a place in the last 16 stage of the Champions Cup, the province could yet end up in the Challenge Cup this season, depending on result of Gloucester's home Champions Cup fixture later on Saturday evening against Toulon.

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MUNSTER RUGBY: Shane Daly; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Ben O'Connor; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Oli Jager, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ethan Coughlan, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly.

CASTRES: Theo Chabouni; Christian Ambadiang, Vuate Karawalevu, Jack Goodhue, Geoffrey Palis; Pierre Popelin, Jeremy Fernandez; Atunaisa Sokobale, Loris Zarantonello, Will Collier; Gauthier Maravat, Tom Staniforth; Baptiste Delaporte (capt), Baptiste Cope, Florent Vanverberghe. Replacements: Teddy Durand-Pradere, Antoine Tichit, Aurelien Azar, Leone Nakarawa, Tyler Ardron, Santiago Arata, Enzo Herve, Atu Manu.

REFEREE: Matthew Carley (RFU)