Munster can take a great deal from their narrow defeat to Toulon and should seal a place in the Champions Cup Round of 16 at home to Castres this weekend, according to Bernard Jackman.
Clayton McMillan's side fell to a third successive defeat, but the performance was a world away from the feeble interprovincial loss to Ulster last time out.
After a rather stop-start opening 40 minutes at Stade Mayol, the game burst into life when the home side upped the gears after the break. The visitors however rallied, with Jack O'Donoghue and Tom Farrell getting over the tryline as Munster nudged ahead with seven minutes to play.
There was still more drama to play out as Toulon full-back Marius Domon kicked the winning score, with a huge defensive effort denying the hosts a bonus point - and securing a losing one for Munster - in the final phase of the game.
"Munster showed huge heart and resilience after the poor performance to Ulster last week," he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland. "Clayton McMillan got the reaction and a performance that he wanted, but they will be gutted they didn’t win the game.
"The last penalty, that won the game, was a harsh one, but to be fair, Munster’s discipline was not good during the game with two yellow cards. That was really costly.
"Defensively they shut down a big and powerful Toulon side for most of the game and fired some shots themselves."
Fourth in Pool 2, Munster will need to defeat Castres at home on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off) to secure a place in the knockout stages.
The likelihood is that for the fourth year running, the two-time champions will be on the road in the Round of 16, though a bonus-point win and favours from Gloucester and Bath would see them sneak into the top two and a home tie.
Regardless of their home or away fate, Jackman expects the Irish province to be far too strong for a Castres side unlikely to go full-strength for the European tie.
"Jack Crowley made an amazing tackle in the 81st minute to stop Tomas Albornoz, the Argentinian out-half, getting the bonus point, which could be absolutely crucial," he said.
"Munster got the losing bonus point. With Castres at home this weekend, and not really taking the competition seriously, you’d imagine Munster will get the job done and qualify."
