Wing Calvin Nash, who hopes to feature for injury-hit Ireland in the upcoming Six Nations, scored Munster’s fourth tryInvestec Champions Cup Pool 3Toulon: (13) 18 Tries: Paia’aua, Du Preez Pens: Jaminet 2 Cons: Jaminet Munster: (17) 29 Tries: Nankivell, Zebo, Ahern, Nash Pen: Crowley Cons: Crowley 3
Munster boosted their hopes of reaching the Investec Champions Cup knockout rounds with a bonus-point win over Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol.
A converted Duncan Paia’aua try and Melvyn Jaminet penalty gave Toulon an early lead.
However, tries from Alex Nankivell and Simon Zebo sparked a Munster comeback and sent the Irish side in with a 17-13 lead at the break.
Further tries from Tom Ahern and Calvin Nash secured a vital win.
Munster’s second-half scores came either side of a Cornell du Preez try for Toulon, who were unable to stop Graham Rowntree’s side from moving third in Pool 3.
The hosts dominated a breathless opening spell in terms of territory and possession, but fumbled the ball on several occasions, slowing their early momentum.
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However, it was not long before the French side broke the deadlock, with Jaminet drilling over a penalty kick from a central position.
Toulon struck again minutes later, with winger Jiuta Wainiqolo running back a loose kick deep in his own half, dancing through several defenders with superb footwork before offloading to Paia’aua to go under the posts.
Jaminet added the extras and it looked as though the hosts were firmly in the driving seat.
However, Munster grew into the game in the second quarter and Crowley got his side on the board with a penalty from a tricky position.
The visitors continued to apply pressure, with Craig Casey marshalling the attack through a number of phases before eventually supplying Nankivell, who crashed over the try-line from short range. Crowley converted to bring the sides level.
The back-and-forth nature of the game continued, with Toulon retaking the lead courtesy of the boot of Jaminet, but Munster hit back with Zebo collecting a delicate Crowley chip to dot down under the posts.
Rowntree’s side, who have been plagued by injury troubles recently, were the first to strike in the second half, with a clever crosskick from Crowley finding Ahern, who claimed the ball in the air before powering over in the corner.
Toulon briefly kept themselves within touching distance with a skilful flicked pass by Jaminet assisting du Preez, who charged over in the corner.
But with the game on a knife-edge, Munster scored a brilliant bonus-point try from nothing.
Nash chased a high kick and then leaped into the air to gather and power over the line to give his side some breathing space.
Munster had the ascendency for the remaining minutes and demonstrated good game management to see out the game and secure a famous Champions Cup win on French soil to remain firmly in the hunt for qualification to the knockout phase.
Line-ups
Toulon: Jaminet; Wainiqolo, Nayacalevu, Paia’aua, Fainga’anuku; Biggar, White; Priso, Tolofua, Brookes, Halagahu, Ribbans (capt), Du Preez, Tolofua, Isa.
Replacements: Singleton, Devaux, Gigashvili, Alainu’uese, Coulon, Danglot, Sinzelle, Tuicuvu.
Munster: Zebo; Nash, Frisch, Nankivell, Daly; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Scannell, Ryan, Ahern, Beirne (capt), O’Mahony, Hodnett, G Coombes.
Replacements: Clarke, Wycherley, Archer, Gleeson, Kendellen, Murray, Carbery, O’Brien.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)