However, the first 40 for the players in red was costly as prop Dian Bleuler failed to pass the HIA after a badly executed tackle on Jack Goodhue, and even more worryingly Irish center Craig Casey had to be carried off after taking a blow to the knee in preparation for the hosts’ second attempt.
Less than five minutes had passed into the second half when Castres conceded again after an intentional shot from winger Geoffrey Palis. However, not only did Munster fail to capitalize on the opportunity, their scrum was annihilated and a penalty was awarded, and Fernandez made no mistake with the kick this time, leading his team 13-7.
Munster’s night continued to deteriorate on the injury front when Peter O’Mahony rose with a limp on a badly sprained right ankle and left the field in the 55th minute, shortly after joining the early exit of Abrahams, who was hit by an unarmed shot from Papala.
However, the tide seemed to be turning for the visitors when, after Julien Dumora missed another kick, substitute prop Nicolas Corato became the third player in navy blue to be sent off for persistent rule-breaking with less than a quarter of an hour remaining. .
This time Munster took advantage of their man’s advantage and again Hodnett buried from close range.
The try survived a TMO review for a potential penalty and Crowley kept his nerve despite the noise from the home fans to take the lead for the first time at 13-14 with 10 minutes remaining.
Prendergast hoped his team could take the match to a smash and grab victory, but another scrum penalty saw them extend their lead when Le Brun became the third Castres player to put the ball on the tee and he separated the Poles in the 74th minute.
Munster fought until the end, but the final touch finally summed up their frustrating evening when the clock turned red and a penalty kick was awarded at half-way point.
Crowley tried to use every inch of the kick, but was acrobatically stopped by Palis, who threw the ball into the stands to signal the celebration of most of the fans in the stadium.
Munster will return to the pitch next Friday and visit Kingspan Stadium to face Ulster in the first Christmas derby.
