Error-strewn Munster fall to defeat in Castres

Munster paid the price for a messy performance as they fell to a 16-14 defeat to Castres in the Investec Champions Cup.

A penalty from the French side's out-half Louis Le Brun in the final eight minutes gave Jeremy Davidson's side their first win in the competition since 2019, as Munster had to settle for a losing bonus-point at Stade Pierre-Fabre.

The province briefly led when John Hodnett scored his second try of the game on 70 minutes, but that lead was wiped out almost instantly when they gave away a scrum penalty off the restart, which Le Brun knocked over to put his side back in front.

A wasteful and error-strewn performance from the visitors was summed up in the final play of the game, when Jack Crowley missed touch from a penalty just inside his own half, as Munster chased a winning score.

The defeat also appears to have come at a cost to the province, with Craig Casey (below) suffering a first-half injury. The scrum-half had to be helped off the pitch with just 30 minutes played, and the in-form Ireland international could be seen on crutches with his right knee in a brace on the sidelines at full-time.

Peter O'Mahony, Dian Bleuler, Thaakir Abrahams and Dave Kilcoyne also departed with knocks, which could leave the province in a difficult situation when they travel to face Ulster in the URC next week.

Discipline was a major issue for Ian Costello's side, conceding 17 penalties in total, five of those coming at the scrum in the second half. However, their hosts were equally indisciplined, also giving up 17 penalties, while they spent 30 minutes of the game playing with 14 players after yellow cards for Quentin Walcker, Geoffrey Palis and Nicolas Corato.

Castres started the game in dominant fashion, as Munster coughed up