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Munster forced to share spoils as Bayonne bounce back

Updated / Saturday, 9 Dec 2023 21:15
Munster's Jack Crowley reacts to missing a last-minute drop goal attempt
Munster's Jack Crowley reacts to missing a last-minute drop goal attempt

Munster's Champions Cup campaign began in frustrating fashion as they were held 17-17 by Bayonne at Thomond Park.

A late try from winger Rémy Baget, converted from the touchline by Thomas Dolhagary, levelled the game for the jubilant visitors with three minutes remaining.

And while Munster had one last chance to nab the win, Jack Crowley's drop-goal attempt drifted right and wide with the clock past 80.

Graham Rowntree's side were in command after the opening quarter, Shay McCarthy showing great footwork to score the opening try on his European debut.

When Gavin Coombes burrowed over from close range on 21 minutes, Munster led 14-3.

However, the Basque visitors, who took the eighth and final European spot in last year's Top 14, fired into the contest thereafter.

They were unlucky not to narrow the gap before half-time, Cheikh Tiberghien's beautifully taken try being disallowed after a subtle knock-on was spotted by the TMO in the lead-up.

Shortly after half-time, they did get over, Fijian prop Junior Tagi powering over after a fine backline move down the left side.

Munster almost answered with a try of their own but, after a prolonged attack, opted to take the points, Crowley slipping over a penalty to push the margin back out to seven points. That would be their only score of the second half.

Further chances were butchered. After Calvin Nash was inches away from scoring in the right hand corner, Munster were camped on the opposition try-line for the subsequent minutes. Ireland lock and Player of the Match Tadhg Beirne was guilty of a rare mis-step, floating a wild pass into touch with numbers out wide.

They were ultimately to pay for these errors.

The visitors were emboldened as Munster grew increasingly edgy. Their current weakness at defending lineout mauls proved their undoing again. From a throw on the 22, Bayonne remorselessly marched them to within a few yards, replacement Gela Aprasidze breaking away from the maul and feeding Baget, who gleefully touched down in the corner.

Dolhagary, assuming kicking duties from the experienced Machenaud, landed a flawless conversion from the left touchline.

Munster had one last chance to seal the win but Crowley winced as soon as the drop-kick left his boot.

Elsewhere in Pool C, Henry Slade held his nerve to land a match-winning conversion with the game's final kick as Exeter launched their campaign with a stunning 19-18 victory over Toulon.

The Chiefs trailed by 13 points at half-time, but they kept French Top 14 title contenders Toulon scoreless after the break.

Flanker Jacques Vermeulen touched down from close range for Exeter's third try with a minute left at Stade Felix-Mayol, then England international centre Slade stepped up to convert amid intense pressure.

In Connacht's Pool A, Owen Farrell could not inspire Saracens to victory on his return to action as the Bulls eased to a straightforward 27-16 win in the Investec Champions Cup.

The England playmaker, who is taking a break from international rugby for his mental well-being, kicked his two penalty attempts and had plenty of trademark up-and-unders, but also missed a penalty kick to the corner when Saracens were still in the game and both conversion attempts.

Saracens' hopes were undermined by indiscipline, with Billy Vunipola shown a red card for launching himself into a clear-out and making contact with the head.

That followed yellow cards for Alex Goode and Maro Itoje, meaning Saracens played more than half the game with 14 players.

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