Saturday’s Champions Cup motion sees two-time winners Munster dumped out at pool stage after shock dwelling defeat to Castres at Thomond Park; Leicester Tigers on verge of pool stage exit too; Gloucester knocked out after dwelling loss to Toulon; Leinster, Toulouse, Sale Sharks by way of
Final Up to date: 17/01/26 10:06pm
Craig Casey’s Munster suffered a shock Champions Cup pool-stage elimination at dwelling on Saturday
Two-time European winners Munster had been dumped out of the Champions Cup on the pool stage for simply the fourth time since 1999 as they had been shocked by Castres at Thomond Park 31-29.
Castres – who had additionally misplaced two of their opening three video games in Pool 2 – acquired on the board early by way of a penalty from Jeremy Fernandez earlier than Vuate Karawalevu went over from shut vary. Munster responded within the seventeenth minute by way of a transformed attempt from Craig Casey after a flowing workforce transfer.
Munster accomplished the turnaround within the thirty fifth minute when Casey went over once more, coming off the again of a rolling maul following a lineout, however Castres regrouped with a attempt from full-back Theo Chabouni to enter half-time with a 17-12 lead.
The house aspect acquired themselves again on stage phrases quickly after the restart when Thaakir Abrhams dived over within the nook, however Jack Crowley couldn’t land the extras from out on the best. Edwin Edogbo then added a bonus-point attempt simply earlier than the hour to maneuver Munster forward 22-17 – however once more Crowley was astray with the conversion.
After Tom Farrell was proven a pivotal yellow card for an unlawful clearout, Castres produced a robust end with tries from Geoffrey Palis after which Christian Ambadiang.
With 5 minutes left, Castres lock Leone Nakarawa was despatched to the sin-bin, and Munster acquired one other attempt as Edogbo barged over to shut inside two factors, however got here up simply quick.
Leicester Tigers on verge of exit after defeat to South Africa’s Stormers
Leicester’s last-16 hopes had been left in tatters after a 39-26 defeat by Stormers in Cape City.
Early tries from Evan Roos and Andre-Hugo Venter put the hosts in management earlier than George Pearson pulled one again.
Some Will Wand magic hauled the Tigers again into the match at half-time and so they led by six when Jamie Blamire went over early within the second half.
Nevertheless, tries from Leolin Zas and JD Schickerling edged the Stormers again in entrance earlier than Tom Manz scored for Leicester.
However Imad Khan denied the Tigers a dropping bonus level when his late attempt despatched Stormers by way of.
As a substitute, a dropping bonus level towards Harlequins on Sunday shall be sufficient for La Rochelle to qualify and knock out Leicester.
Gloucester knocked out after dwelling defeat to Toulon
Gloucester’s Champions Cup hopes suffered a knockout blow as Toulon dumped them from the event by successful 31-14 at Kingsholm.
The French aspect didn’t look again following early tries by wings Gael Drean and Mathis Ferte, with Gloucester by no means critically threatening a significant fightback.
Flanker Lewis Ludlam additionally crossed for the guests throughout a one-sided opening half as they assured themselves a house tie within the spherical of 16, earlier than Drean added an Eightieth-minute bonus-point clincher.
Gloucester, regardless of touchdowns from Jack Clement and Tomos Williams, with George Barton changing each, had been largely shut out, and Toulon full-back Marius Domon’s goalkicking – 4 conversions and a penalty – saved his aspect within the driving seat.
Gloucester’s defeat meant that Edinburgh progressed from Pool Two alongside Toulon, Bathtub and Castres, with George Skivington’s workforce having now misplaced 11 of their 13 Gallagher Prem and Champions Cup video games this season as even a Problem Cup comfort place eluded them.
Leinster ultimately see off Bayonne to safe dwelling benefit
Leinster battled to a 22-13 win at Bayonne which secured dwelling benefit within the final 16 of the Champions Cup.
Bayonne – who had misplaced their opening three video games, together with to each Leicester and Harlequins – took an early lead at Stade Jean Dauger by way of a breakaway attempt from Sireli Maqala within the 14th minute earlier than Harry Byrne’s penalty acquired Leinster, already certified from Pool 3, on the board.
After Joshua Kenny simply didn’t take the ball and go over within the nook, a long-range penalty from Joris Segonds put the French aspect additional forward. Thomas Clarkson then noticed his Thirty third-minute attempt disallowed for a double motion as Bayonne went into half-time 10-3 in entrance.
Bayonne’s Herschel Jantjies was proven a yellow card within the forty ninth minute for a deliberate knock on. Leinster made essentially the most of their benefit when Dan Sheehan slid over within the 56th minute and Byrne nailed the conversion to deliver the guests stage at 10-10.
Segonds kicked one other penalty on the hour to swiftly restore Bayonne’s lead, which seemed to have been worn out when Jimmy O’Brien charged onto a kick from Sam Prendergast and went down within the nook – just for his attempt to be dominated out by the TMO for failing to floor the ball as he was tackled over the road.
Leinster produced a robust end as Prendergast latched onto Byrne’s chipped go below the posts after which Max Deegan crossed within the nook to verify of one other hard-earned win to take care of their 100 per cent document on the prime of the group.
Sale undergo document defeat to Toulouse however progress anyway
Sale suffered a document defeat as six-time winners Toulouse prevented a shock Champions Cup exit by scoring 11 tries en path to a crushing 77-7 victory.
Sharks’ 70-point hammering within the Pool One fixture at Stade Toulousain simply surpassed the membership’s earlier largest loss – a 58-8 reverse by the hands of Wasps in 2000.
Alex Sanderson’s aspect, who had already certified for the knockout levels however have now dropped out of a house last-16 spot, would have eradicated the High 14 leaders with victory.
Kalvin Gourgues added Toulouse’s bonus-point attempt within the closing levels of the primary half after Emmanuel Meafou, Julien Marchand and Antoine Dupont all crossed.
Sale’s Tom Curtis transformed his personal comfort rating early within the second interval earlier than tries from Dimitri Delibes, Matthis Lebel, Thomas Ramos and Paul Graou stretched the hosts’ benefit.
After France star Dupont crossed for his second attempt of the sport, Joshua Brennan and Lebel accomplished the scoring, with Ramos touchdown all 11 conversions.
