Heineken European Cup/ Castres 19 Munster 12: Munster will reflect on an opportunity that got away. The Irish province fell short of the standards they set for themselves and the traditional clinical exploitation of opportunities that has been a hallmark of many of their great Heineken European Cup moments was absent.
Flanker Jim Williams neatly encapsulated a hugely disappointing night against a Castres side that sparkled only fitfully and were facilitated by Munster's largesse: "It was very disappointing in the first half especially. We didn't get our patterns going and we turned over too much ball.
"We got ourselves back into the match but did not take advantage of the territorial dominance," he added. "We didn't have enough composure when it mattered. We've now got to pick it up and concentrate on next week when we'll have them at home."
There were simply too many individual errors, inspiring a fractured team performance as Munster looked out of sorts. While they did raise the level of competence for the opening 25 minutes of the second half they couldn't sustain that momentum. They frittered away chances and then showed a couple of flashes of indiscipline that ultimately handed Castres the breathing space to see out the game.
There was an element of drama before kick-off when Castres Olympique's Argentine hooker Mario Ledesma withdrew with a leg injury.
Munster though were concerned with more pressing matters, primarily their own ineptitude in the first half, where they made a substantial number of unforced errors. The back play, off slow ball, was static and poorly organised, the runners too shallow and the delivery of the pass often wide of the mark.
It meant that the visitors were often a danger to themselves.
Ronan O'Gara's punting also lacked his normal assurance as he missed touch twice in the first 10 minutes and uncharacteristically appeared hesitant in possession.
Munster's substandard play meant that they created a rod for their own back and allowed Castres opportunities to stretch them. The fact that the visitors missed some straightforward first-up tackles ensured they had to scramble furiously to halt a couple of try-scoring opportunities.
That frailty was never going to suffice and eventually cost them a try just before half-time. Castres scrumhalf Alexandre Albouy fielded an O'Gara drop-out, raced past a couple of tacklers before linking with the support.
The ball was moved wide, following a neat offload by replacement centre Richard Dourthe and David Bory bounced Christian Cullen's ill-judged tackle to score in the corner. Laurent Marticorena kicked a superb touchline conversion to add to two penalties earlier.
Munster's sole response was a superb 45-metre penalty from O'Gara that had given them the lead on five minutes.
A 13-3 interval lead slightly flattered the home side but they did look the more dangerous in possession. Brad Fleming was an obvious threat on the right wing before being forced off through injury and his replacement, Benjamin Lhande, might have grabbed a try if his soccer skills had been a little better.
Castres though had their own problems, mainly out of touch, where Munster stole four throws in the first half. The difference, though, in how they used more modest possession, was reflected on the scoreboard. Munster consistently tried to force the issue when they needed to be precise.
The Irish province did begin the second half with greater fluency, more snap and more accuracy in terms of execution. It was Castres, though, who could have added to their total soon after the restart.
Loading the blindside, Bory raced into the 22 before Peter Stringer brought an end to his gallop. Justin Fitzpatrick was penalised for reckless shoeing and Munster cleared the danger.
The latter incident highlighted a growing lack of discipline in the home ranks, gratefully seized upon by O'Gara, who kicked three penalties to close the gap to 13-12.
The visitors were very much in the ascendant now by dint of sheer hard graft from their pack. Having laid siege to Castres' line, initially from a catch and drive at a lineout and then through half a dozen rucks, a turnover and then a penalty allowed a resolute home defence to clear their lines.
Castres maximised that respite by introducing patience and width to their game and they were facilitated by Munster indiscipline that cost a couple of penalties, the second of which Marticorena posted from 40 metres. Galvanised by the mini-revival, the home side continued to press and were awarded a soft penalty for a collapse after sustained pressure in the Munster 22.
Marticorena tapped it over and at 19-12 and with just three minutes remaining - there would be five of injury time - a sense of desperation crept into the visitors' play. Twice in the last throes of the match they turned over possession, the final opportunity coming from a clever O'Gara cross-kick but despite Alan Quinlan's catch and run, he lacked the support of his pacy brethren to finish the chance.
It kind of summed up the night: nearly but not quite. The bonus point will have to suffice.
SCORING SEQUENCE - 5 mins: O'Gara penalty, 0-3; 7 mins: Marticorena penalty, 3-3; 19 mins: Marticorena penalty, 6-3; 40 mins: Bory try, Marticorena conversion, 13-3. Half-time: 13-3. 44 mins: O'Gara penalty, 13-6; 52 mins: O'Gara penalty, 13-9; 57 mins: O'Gara penalty, 13-12; 71 mins: Marticorena penalty, 16-12; 77 mins: Marticorena penalty, 19-12.
CASTRES OLYMPIQUE: U Mola; B Fleming, L Marticorena, M Denney, D Bory; X Sadourny, A Albouy; J Fitzpatrick, R Vigneaux (capt), A Galasso; L Nallet, N Spanghero, A Bias, R Capo Ortega, P Volley. Replacements: B Lhande for Fleming 24 mins; R Dourthe for Denney (29 mins); M Reggiardo for Fitzpatrick (59 mins); R Froment for Capo Ortega (59 mins); J Deen for Sadourny (67 mins).
MUNSTER: C Cullen; M Lawler, S Payne, R Henderson, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; J Williams, A Foley (capt), D Wallace. Replacements: A Quinlan for Williams (62 mins); M Mullins for Lawler (72 mins).
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
