Heartbreak as Munster go out by a point

Toulouse 13, Munster 12 (full-time)

There was heartbreak for Munster today as they lost out on a place in the Heineken Cup final by a single point to Toulouse, who went over for a try five minutes from the end.

Frederick Michalak’s try brought the French giants to within one of Munster, and Jean Baptiste Elisalde’s conversion sealed their lead, and in the end, the win for Toulouse.

A penalty in either half saw Toulouse trailing Munster 6-12, who had Ronan O’Gara to thank for two penalties and two drop-goals.

O'Gara had weathered the storm by landing his second penalty and securing a 12-6 lead on 61 minutes, putting Munster ever closer to the final - but there was much more drama to unfold.

Garbajosa appeared, on first impressions, to have scored a 66th-minute try, but Munster scrum-half Peter Stringer’s brilliant tackle dislodged the ball from his grasp as he rolled over the line in pursuit of glory.

Referee Chris White consulted video official Ed Morrison, who confirmed that the ball had squirted clear, and Munster survived.

It was an accurate call from Morrison, but still Toulouse pressed, roared on by their vociferous fans.

The closing minutes were all about relentless Toulouse pressure, and Munster’s mighty defence finally cracked in the 74th minute.

Toulouse swung possession left and right in pursuit of a try, and when Munster predictably ran out of numbers, Michalak exploited a huge gap to score.

Elissalde converted superbly from wide out, and Toulouse were ahead for the first time, leading 13-12 and they were not to relinquish the lead, holding out until the end of normal time and despite relentless pressure, for nine minutes of injury-time.