Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Penalty shootout heartbreak for Munster as Toulouse kick their way to semis

By PA
Members of Stade Toulousain react as Ben Healy of Munster misses his sides second shot on goal during the Heineken Champions Cup Quarter Final match between Munster Rugby and Stade Toulousain (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Toulouse were pinpoint accurate in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout at the Aviva Stadium as they knocked Munster out of the Heineken Champions Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

The reigning champions, who fought back to level the game at 24-24 and send it to extra time, will face Leicester Tigers or Leinster in next week’s semi-finals after winning a tense shootout 4-2.

Antoine Dupont split the posts twice for Toulouse, including a key strike from the 10-metre line, with Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack also on target.

Video Spacer

Dillyn Leyds | Le French Rugby Podcast | Episode 28

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Dillyn Leyds | Le French Rugby Podcast | Episode 28

      We chat to La Rochelle’s South Africa international Dillyn Leyds ahead of the all-French Champions Cup quarter-final against Montpellier to find out about Ronan O’Gara’s spikiness, how he ended up in the west of France instead of South West London and his chances of a Springbok recall. Plus, we look at the madness of the Top 14 where still nobody is guaranteed a play-off place with two rounds to go, look ahead to all of the Champions Cup quarter-finals and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
      Use the code FRENCHPOD20 at checkout for 20% off any full price item at Meater.com
      Head over to daysbrewing.com and use the code RUGBYPASS15 to get 15% off a case of their 0.0% beers

      Conor Murray and Joey Carbery had successful penalties, but misses from Ben Healy (two) and Murray ended Munster’s campaign in devastating fashion.

      The teams, resembling two punch-drunk heavyweights at times, could not be split during an exhausting 100 minutes of rugby. Young replacement Healy missed a last-gasp 56-metre penalty at the end of normal time.

      It was 14 points apiece after the opening 40 minutes, Alex Kendellen and Keith Earls crossing for the hosts with Romain Ntamack and Matthis Lebel landing converted tries for Toulouse.

      A Mike Haley try and Joey Carbery’s third conversion and lone penalty drove Munster ahead, but the loss of captain Peter O’Mahony to a shoulder injury was keenly felt.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      With a dominant scrum, Toulouse produced a strong finish as Lebel completed his brace and Ramos equalised with a 75th-minute penalty.

      Both Healy and Ramos slid drop goal attempts wide during extra-time, as this absorbing quarter-final clash brought back memories of the famous Cardiff-Leicester penalty shootout from 2009.

      A typically helter-skelter start saw Munster strike first in the ninth minute, 21-year-old flanker Kendellen bouncing off Dorian Aldegheri to ground the ball.

      Firing back quickly, Ntamack seized the ball at the second attempt to score to the right of the posts. Only some excellent maul defence prevented Toulouse from driving through for a second score.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Nonetheless, with Toulouse’s piledriving scrum forcing penalties, Ntamack’s loop play set up a 25th-minute run-in for winger Lebel. Ramos converted again for a 14-7 lead.

      With the interval within reach, Chris Farrell flicked a pass back for Carbery to loft it wide and Earls finished. Having missed an earlier penalty, Carbery nailed the difficult conversion.

      Despite a second penalty miss from Carbery, Simon Zebo’s aerial brilliance was matched by a break from Farrell. He sent full-back Haley over for a well-taken converted try.

      Toulouse lock Rory Arnold was then binned for a dangerous dump tackle on Zebo, before Carbery used a subsequent penalty to make it 24-14 in the 57th minute.

      Despite superb turnovers from O’Mahony and Munster replacement Jason Jenkins, Lebel scampered through from 40 metres out thanks to replacement Peato Mauvaka’s inviting inside pass.

      Ramos converted and Munster’s lead was erased soon after, as a scrum penalty delivered three more points. Extra-time was evenly balanced, but heartbreak awaited Munster in the shootout.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      South Africa v British & Irish Lions | 2009 | Second Test | The Vaults

      Matches 27 - 28 | Rugby Premier League | Full Day Replay

      Hyderabad Heroes vs Delhi Redz | Match 28 | Rugby Premier League | Full Match Replay

      England XV v France XV | Full Match Replay

      "The Opportunity Of A Lifetime" | Wallabies All In: Episode 1

      Are these the best ever Lions performances?

      Pollock Loses Bill, Players Meet Their Roommates & Training in Portugal | Ep 1: The Ultimate Test

      Top 10 inspiring Lions speeches

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      0 Comments
      Be the first to comment...

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      LONG READ
      LONG READ Come in number 55…where to next for England’s revolving-door midfield? Come in number 55…where to next for England’s revolving-door midfield?
      Search