Saturday’s Champions Cup action saw two-time European winners Munster knocked out in the pool for the first time since 2016 after a shock home defeat to Castres at Thomond Park; Leicester Tigers on the verge of exiting the pool also after defeat to Stormers; Leinster, Toulouse, Sale Sharks
Last updated: 17/01/26 22:06
Craig Casey’s Munster suffered a shock Champions Pool Cup elimination at home on Saturday
Two-time European winners Munster were dumped out of the Champions Cup on stage for the first time in a decade as they were stunned 31-29 by Castres at Thomond Park.
Castres – who have also lost two of their opening three games in Group 2 – got on the board early through Jeremy Fernandez’s penalty before Vuate Karavalevu headed over from close range. Munster hit back in the 17th minute with Craig Casey’s converted try, after the team was fluid.
Munster completed the turnaround in the 35th minute when Casey went through again, running from the back, but Castres regrouped with a try from fullback Theo Chabuni to go into half-time with a 17-12 lead.
The home side got back on level terms soon after the restart when Thaakir Abrahams dived in a corner but Jack Crowley couldn’t get the extras on the right. Edwin Edogbo then added a bonus point try just before the hour mark to put Munster 22-17 up – but again Crawley was not on target for the conversion.
After Tom Farrell received a crucial yellow card for a tackle, Castre produced a strong finish with tries from Geoffrey Pallis and then Christian Ambadiango.
With five minutes remaining, Castres was locked down, Leone Nakarava was sent to the sin bin and Munster got another try when Edogbo crossed to close for two points, but came up just short.
Leicester Tigers on the brink of relegation after defeat to South African Stormers
Leicester’s last 16 hopes were left in tatters after a 39-26 defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town.
Early tries from Evan Roos and Andre-Hugo Venter put the hosts in control before George Pearson pulled one back.
Some Will Wand magic brought the Tigers back into the match at half-time and they led by six when Jamie Blamire took the field early in the second half.
However, tries from Leolin Zass and JD Schickerling put the Stormers back in front before Tom Manz scored for Leicester.
But Imad Khan denied the Tigers a bonus point loss when his late try sent the Stormers through.
Instead, a dropped bonus point against Harlequins on Sunday will be enough for La Rochelle to qualify and knock out Leicester.
Leinster eventually saw off Bayonne to secure home advantage
Leinster battled to a 22-13 victory against Bayonne to secure home advantage in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.
Bayonne – who have lost their opening three games, including Leicester and Harlequins – took an early lead at Stade Jean Daugere through Sireli Makala’s 14th-minute breakaway effort before Harry Byrne’s penalty got Leinster, who have already qualified from Group 3, on the board.
After Joshua Kenny failed to collect the ball for a corner, Joris Segonds’ long-range penalty put France further ahead. Thomas Clarkson then had his try denied in the 33rd minute for a double tackle as Bayonne went into half-time 10-3 up.
Bayonne’s Herschel Jantjis received a yellow card in the 49th minute for a deliberate knock. Leinster made the most of their advantage when Dan Sheehan slipped over in the 56th minute and Byrne scored the conversion to bring the visitors to 10-10.
Segonds took another penalty on the hour mark to quickly restore Bayonne’s lead, which looked to have been wiped out when Jimmy O’Brien pounced on Sam Prendergast’s shot and landed in the corner – only for his attempt to be ruled out by the TMO for failing to ground the ball as it was carried over the line.
Leinster produced a strong finish as Prendergast latched onto Byrne’s clipped pass under the posts and then Max Deegan headed over in the corner to secure another hard-earned win and maintain their 100 per cent record at the top of the group.
Sale suffered a record defeat against Toulouse, but still progress
Sale suffered a record defeat as six-time winners Toulouse avoided a shock Champions Cup exit by scoring 11 tries en route to a crushing 77-7 victory.
The Sharks’ 70-point hammering in the Pool One clash at the Toulouse Stadium easily eclipsed the club’s previous biggest defeat – a 58-8 drubbing by Wasps in 2000.
Alex Sanderson’s side, who have already qualified for the knockout stages but are now out of the last 16, would eliminate the 14 leaders with a win.
Calvin Gurg added Toulouse’s extra point late in the first half after Emmanuel Meafou, Julien Marchand and Antoine Dupont crossed.
Sale’s Tom Curtis converted his consolation early in the second period before tries from Dimitri Delibes, Mathis Lebel, Tomas Ramos and Paul Grau extended the hosts’ lead.
After French star Dupont was fouled for his second try of the game, Joshua Brennan and Lebel completed the scoring and Ramos kicked all 11 conversions.