Graham Rowntree: 'You've got to deal with their power. That's what we didn't do' 

It was a close-run thing with Munster playing well for long periods of the game, Toulouse’s class and physicality eventually told, and the head coach was left to rue his own player’s failure to convert their chances.

WORK-ONS: Munster head coach Graham Rowntree. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Graham Rowntree pointed to Munster’s inability to deal with Toulouse’s power as the major factor in his side’s 18-13 Heineken Champions Cup defeat at a foggy, freezing Thomond Park on Sunday.

Munster had taken an early lead through a Joey Carbery try on nine minutes only to concede scores from the five-time champions’ wing Matthis Lebel on 22 minutes and replacement back Lucas Tauzin just after half-time.