The only French representative in the European Cup this weekend, Castres Olympique lost to Munster (19-13). In an unexciting match, the brave Castres were not far from doing better than a defensive bonus point.
All the spotlights were on Thomond Park this Saturday evening when Castres challenged the ogre of Munster, undefeated at home in the group stages of the European Cup for 14 games. Cut off from a majority of these executives, the staff of the CO had decided to establish for the first time the young Bastien Guillemin and Wayan de Benedittis. The second knives Thomas Larregain, Pierre Aguillon or Loïc Jacquet were also in the starting XV. The Castres conceded the first three points of the game in the 8the minute after a severe ground foul (3-0). In a start to the match lacking in rhythm, the CO did better than resist. But this without really endangering the Irish province made up of the best players in the country. There was nothing else to get your teeth into in this first half, polluted by fouls and a lack of creativity from the actors. Munster intensified the pressure thereafter, which forced the Castres to retreat. This was sanctioned by a second penalty in favor of the Irish (6-0). Castres suffered even more, was not far from cashing a test. Munster still materialized (9-0), before a start from the CO before the break, materialized by a penalty from Urdapilleta. 9-3 was the score at the break.
The Irish try, turning point of the match
Volunteers, the Castrais returned from the locker room still as valiant, tried blows in the opposing camp without letting anything pass in defense. At the 47e minute, Guillemin was very close to an interception which could have propelled him towards the goal line… Infuriating for the CO who was still in the game despite everything. The match was still played in a false rhythm seeming to suit the Irish. Until this 59th minute, decisive: in the end, O’Donoghue planted a contentious but validated test on video (16-3). Castres reacted immediately with a penalty from Urdapilleta (16-6), but frustrated by certain refereeing decisions, collected three new points (19-6). Bis then repeated: after conceding points, the Castres regained the upper hand. And it is natural that Kornath planted his team’s first try, five minutes from the end (19-13). Until the end, Pierre-Henri Broncan’s men pushed but without success… This fine end to the match allowed the CO to grab a defensive bonus point which could be decisive. Next match, January 14 at Pierre-Fabre, again against Munster.
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