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Castres Olympique will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host former Champions Munster at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Saturday. - 17/11/2011 09:49
Castres Olympique will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host former Champions Munster at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Saturday.
The French side went down 31 v 23 away to the Scarlets on the opening weekend but will look to use the form that has taken them to 3rd in the French TOP14 this season when the Irish Province come to town.
The last time these two sides met in the Heineken Cup was back in the 2005/6 season when Munster completed the double over Castres, including a 46 v 9 victory in France.
Munster began their 2011/12 campaign in dramatic fashion beating last season’s finalists Northampton Saints with a last minute drop goal at Thomond Park.
Last season was the first time in 13 years Munster failed to reach the knock-out stage of the Heineken Cup and so will be looking for an away victory to back up their opening win.
Munster have a good record against French opposition in the tournament, having won 22 of 32 matches played.
Résumé vidéo: Castres Olympique v Munster. Regardez les plus belles actions
Ronan O’Gara was Munster’s hero for the second week running as once again the fly-half kicked a late drop-goal to earn his side a Heineken Cup victory.
O’Gara kicked Munster to glory over Northampton Saints last weekend at Thomond Park and after the Irish Province had battled their way back into contention against Castres this afternoon, he struck once again.
It was the hosts who took the early lead in Toulouse, Pierre Bernard kicking two penalties in the opening five minutes and that start was made even better when Brice Mach touched down after 11 minutes.
Dough Howlett responded with a try for Munster which O’Gara converted but it was Castres who struck next.
Pierre-Gilles Lakafia scored his side’s second try which Bernard converted but Munster had the last say with an O’Gara penalty just before the break.
Peter O’Mahony went over for a try after just five second half minutes and O’Gara’s form with the boot continued as he converted.
Bernard kicked a further penalty but another converted try from the visitors, courtesy of Will Chambers handed Munster the lead.
With nine minutes remaining Bernard levelled the scores with a penalty and that’s have the match remained until O’Gara struck in the 80th minute to seal another classic victory.
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