Munster made light work of Toulouse in a repeat of the 2008 Heineken Cup final as they ran in six tries to stroll into the semi-finals and set-up a clash with the winners of Sunday’s fourth quarter final between Toulon and Leinster.

Munster’s solid approach work up front laid the foundations for their stunning victory and they made their intentions obvious from the start by stealing Toulouse’s opening two line-outs.

The first steal was from inspirational skipper Peter O’Mahony, but he left the fray early with a shoulder problem. In his absence, CJ Stander came on to celebrate his 24th birthday in great style by scoring a try and picking up the man of the match award.

The home struck early and notched their first try within five minutes. They went through 20 phases as they inched their way ever nearer the Toulouse try line before a pass out of contact by Simon Zebo released fellow wing Keith
Earls to score wide out on the right.

Ian Keatley stroked over the conversion as the noise went from a deathly hush for the goal kick to total mayhem at a packed Thomond Park.

Toulouse, record four times winners of the Heineken Cup, have been poor of late in their domestic Top 14 championship and were completely out of sorts in the opening half-an-hour, yet by half-time they were only four points adrift thanks to three penalties from the boot of Luke McAlister.

Any thoughts of a revival for the French side disappeared within two minutes of the re-start when prop Dave Kilcoyne burrowed his way over. That try was quickly followed by another from birthday boy CJ Stander, who ensured Munster didn’t miss their skipper when he replaced him.

The introduction of Lionel Beauxis in place of McAlister at No 10 made a difference to the Toulouse side and they grabbed consolation second half tries from Hosea Gear and Joe Tekori.

But Munster were never in danger and tries from Simon Zebo and Paul O’Connell rounded things off and made it 23 wins out of 23 against French opposition in the Heineken Cup at fortress Thomond.