Rowntree proud of Munster character as bonus point win keeps them in contention

By TOM SHEEDY

Toulon ……………18pts

Tries: Paia'aua 23, de Preez 55

Conversion: Jaminet 25

Penalties: Jaminet 16, 35

Munster …………29pts

Tries: Nankivell 31, Zebo 37, Ahern 47, Nash 59 Conversions: J Crowley 32, 37, 60

Penalty: Crowley 27

Munster boss Graham Rowntree hailed the character of his men as they got their Champions Cup campaign firmly back on track with a four-try victory at Stade Felix Mayol.

The bonus point leaves them in control of their own destiny when they entertain Northampton Saints at Thomond Park on Saturday.

“This is a huge competition for us and we were able to come over here and get our game on the field there, I'm immensely proud of the lads right from the get-go,” said Rowntree.

“We got our game going there. We spoke this week about being ambitious. I've seen the body of work we've done all season. We had a challenging period over Christmas with weather, a lot of moving parts with injuries and everything but we've had a cracking training week. I'm very proud.”

Munster, not for the first time in Europe, did it the hard way and had to come from 10-0 behind in the opening half.

But by half-time they had got control and opened up a 17-13 lead against a Toulon side also looking for their first win.

A Melvin Jaminet penalty and a try from deep by Duncan Paia'ava saw Toulon lead 10-0 after 23 minutes but Munster did not allow them to build on that foundation.

Jack Crowley got Munster off the mark with a penalty from 40 metres and they piled on the pressure after that.

A patient build-up ended with centre Alex Nankivell getting through to score, with Crowley converting to tie the game 10-10 nine minutes from the interval.

Jaminet edged Toulon back in front with a penalty but Munster finished the half strongly and led 17-13 when veteran Simon Zebo touched down after collecting a neat chip from Crowley.

Munster continued to boss matters after the restart and Crowley once more was the creator, flashing a shipped effort across for 6ft 9in lock Tom Ahern to collect on the right sideline and power his way home to make it 22-13.

Toulon hit back and got an unconverted try from Cornell de Preez but it was Munster who finished in style and secured the try bonus point going into the final quarter. Calvin Nash, fancied to make the Irish Six Nations squad when it's announced in midweek, scored when he collected a high kick from scrum-half Craig Casey and he raced through from the right wing to score. Crowley converted to make it 29-18.