Munster need to 'step up' for Castres challenge, says Beirne

It's do or die for the province at Thomond Park this weekend.

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne dejected after the match. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Forget the spreadsheets and ignore the pool permutations, Munster’s captain believes only a bonus-point victory at home to Castres this Saturday will ensure his side’s progress to the Champions Cup knockout rounds.

Tadhg Beirne’s team left Toulon on Sunday with a losing bonus point after a 27-25 defeat to the three-time champions at Stade Felix Mayol. It should have been more was the feeling within the Munster camp after a number of missed opportunities throughout a frenetic 80 minutes in the French sunshine and a harsh refereeing decision for a ruck penalty from which Toulon full-back Marius Domon slotted the three points five minutes from time to nudge his team in front for victory.