Munster succumb to dogged Castres in bruising Champions Cup clash 

Munster lost a string of players to injury, prop Dian Bleuler, scrum-half Craig Casey withdrawn during the first half, while Peter O’Mahony, Thaakir Abrahams and replacements Dave Kilcoyne and Diarmuid Barron were second-half casualties.

KNOCKED BACK: Munster’s Jack Crowley tackled by Leone Nakarawa of Castres. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Champions Cup: Castres 16 Munster 14 

Munster’s hopes of putting a foot in the door of the Champions Cup knockout rounds at the earliest opportunity were dashed in France on Friday night as they narrowly succumbed to Castres at Stade Pierre Fabre.