Munster into Challenge Cup as Toulon win at Gloucester

Both teams knew before kick-off that victory would guarantee a place in the knockout phase.

RC Toulon's Jérémy Sinzelle and Tomos Williams of Gloucester. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Gloucester's Investec Champions Cup hopes suffered a knockout blow as Toulon dumped them from the tournament by winning 31-14 at Kingsholm.

The result means the English side finish bottom of pool two and Munster take a spot in the Challenge Cup round of 16.

The southern province were dumped of the Champions Cup after defeat to Castres on Saturday.

Toulon did not look back following early tries by wings Gael Drean and Mathis Ferte, with Gloucester never seriously threatening a meaningful fightback.

Flanker Lewis Ludlam also crossed for the visitors during a one-sided opening half as they guaranteed themselves a home tie in the round of 16, before Drean added an 80th-minute bonus-point clincher.

Gloucester, despite touchdowns from Jack Clement and Tomos Williams, with George Barton converting both, were largely shut out, and Toulon full-back Marius Domon's goalkicking - four conversions and a penalty - kept his side in the driving seat.

Gloucester's defeat also means that Edinburgh progressed from Pool Two alongside Toulon, Bath and Castres, with George Skivington's team having now lost 11 of their 13 Gallagher Prem and Champions Cup games this season as even a Challenge Cup consolation place eluded them.