See what happened in Round 2 of the Heineken Champions Cup. 

Munster and Northampton battled, Toulouse kept rolling and Quins edged Racing in the rain.

Munster 17, Northampton 6

"In the first half, we probably gave too many penalties away, and they converted from those. In the second half, we won loads of penalties and didn't convert. That was the story of the game." - Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson 

The battle at the Gardens is how this clash should be remembered, as two European heavyweights of yesteryear faced off in a fiery contest. 

Munster entered this clash in the unfamiliar position of having lost its opening game at its home fortress of Thomond Park. 

Facing Munster was a Saints side that was handed an almighty thumping at the hands of reigning champion La Rochelle, leading to a must-win scenario for the two sides. 

While European Rugby will not hold up this clash as its poster child, it was an old-school December battle with not an inch given by either side. 

In fact, tempers reached a boiling point on multiple occasions, as four yellow cards were handed out, and a massive 20-player brawl unfurled. 

For Munster, a win is a win. They showed a trademark doggedness to keep the host team without a try. 

📺 HIGHLIGHTS, GALLERY & REACTION | Watch the best moments from yesterday's win over Northampton along with a Calvin Nash interview & see the best pics ⤵️#NORvMUN #SUAF 🔴

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 19, 2022

Graham Rowntree and, in particular, attack coach Mike Prendergast, will leave Northampton disappointed in their side's attack. 

Clearly this Munster side is a team in transition, and while the experiment of Joey Carbery and Jack Crowley starting in the playmaking 10/12 channel didn’t quite click, it was a positive idea that hopefully they will stick with. 

Overall, the development of Antoine Frisch in the outside center berth is a major step forward for the Munster backline, as his physicality is comparable to that of the absent Chris Farrell and allows for the Crowley/Carbery combination to do what they do best in terms of distribution, rather than carrying into contact. 

Holding put the Saints while down two players once again proved just how tough of a nut this Munster side is to crack, but equally, Munster's inability to hurt teams on the counter attacks shows its limitations. 

For Northampton, this result is a real kick in the teeth. Not only is it a home loss, but the Saints simply could not breach the Munster defense. 

Certainly, the opportunity to take a major scalp was there, but it was the Saints persistence in trying to attack Munster through the middle, rather than punish their opponents out wide, that was most disappointing. 

On several occasions, the Saints had the overlap out wide. Instead, though, they battered into the heart of the gutsy Munster defense. 

Now facing the prospect of heading to Thomond Park for the reverse fixture, the Saints will enter the match with their backs to the wall, knowing a loss will put to bed any hopes they have of qualifying.

Northampton Saints: 15. George Furbank, 14. James Ramm, 13. Matt Proctor, 12. Rory Hutchinson, 11. Tommy Freeman, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Alex Waller, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Ehren Painter, 4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5. David Ribbans, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Lewis Ludlam (c), 8. Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: 16. Mikey Haywood, 17. Emmanuel Iyogun, 18. Alfie Petch, 19. Alex Moon, 20. Aaron Hinkley, 21. Callum Braley, 22. Fraser Dingwall, 23. Courtnall Skosan.

Munster Rugby: 15. Mike Haley, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Antoine Frisch, 12. Jack Crowley, 11. Keith Earls, 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Conor Murray, 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. John Ryan, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Jack O'Donoghue, 7. Peter O'Mahony (c), 8. Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: 16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Roman Salanoa, 19. John Hodnett, 20. Alex Kendellen, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Rory Scannell, 23. Shane Daly.

There were 2️⃣ tries from Gavin Coombes in the first half, but the second half was all about defence when @SaintsRugby and @Munsterrugby met this afternoon 👼🆚🦌

Watch full highlights on our YouTube channel 👇#HeinekenChampionsCup

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 18, 2022

Toulouse 45, Sale Sharks 19

“We will take the time to analyze it well, so as not to lose a major player in our squad. He would be suspected of having headbutted before the clash. When you know the boy, the headbutt, I don’t think it’s even conceivable." - Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola

The saying "start strong fade fast" would appear to be apt here, but in truth, that would not be telling the full story. 

In reality, Toulouse is just that team, a side capable of scoring three tries in a matter of minutes. Blink, and you’ll miss it. 

Not only are the French giants a fierce team on the pitch but their supporters make the Stade Ernest-Wallon one of the most hostile environments in European Rugby. 

Having squeaked by Munster at Thomond Park, Toulouse set itself up for a grand homecoming. 

Despite coming out of the blocks like a finely tuned race car, Toulouse would find itself down 7-0, as Sale scored a storming try against the run of play. 

Sale’s opening score would come from the most unlikely of sources, as England prop Bevin Rodd left Romain Ntamack in his wake, kicking a loose ball forward, before pouncing on it to get the visitors off to the best possible start. 

Toulouse would strike back with three quick-fire scores, racing to a 19-7 lead. 

Sale would reply, as Springboks hooker Akker van der Merwe buried his way over the line to bring his side right back into the contest at 19-12. 

Unfortunately for the Premiership side, this would be as close as it would get, as the hosts ripped into the visitors with venom. 

Toulouse eventually scored six tries, with a penalty try making it a seven-try outing that would propel Toulouse to the top of the table, where it shares the spot with fierce rival La Rochelle. 

Displaying a full array of skills across the opening two rounds, Toulouse sent out a warning shot to its rivals that the team is more than capable of once again pulling off a double by winning the Champions Cup and Top14. 

The only blemish on an otherwise positive afternoon was the late red card received by fullback Thomas Ramos for an apparent headbutt, which not only reversed a Toulouse try that would’ve brought up 50 points, but also could see Ramos pick up a suspension. 

Last week’s win in Limerick highlighted Toulouse's ability to win an arm wrestle, while the performance against Sale reminded everyone that if opponents are off even by a slight margin, Toulouse can tear them to shreds. 

For Sale, the result may have been disappointing, but it was not a right-off in terms of performances. The Sharks fought to the end and were rewarded with a try at the death. 

Alex Sanderson’s side will get a chance to redeem itself in January’s return fixture, where they may well have the talismanic figure of Manu Tuilagi back from injury.

Stade Toulousain: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Lucas Tauzin, 13. Dimitri Delibes, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Matthis Lebel, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (c), 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 4. Richie Arnold, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. Thibaud Flament, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 8. Anthony Jelonch.

Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Rodrigue Neti, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Joshua Brennan, 20. Yannick Youyoutte, 21. Selevasio Tolofua, 22. Sofiane Guitoune, 23. Martin Page Relo.

Sale Sharks: 15. Byron McGuigan, 14. Tom O'Flaherty, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Hill, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Robert du Preez (c), 9. Fergus Warr, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Jacobus Wiese, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Jono Ross, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Jean-Luc du Preez. 

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Joe Jones, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Ben Curry, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Thomas Curtis, 23. Ryan Mills.

Twinkle toes, @RomainNtamack ✨

The @StadeToulousain 🔟 dance his way through the defence to score 🕺#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/KoBrkbF78B

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 18, 2022

Harlequins 14, Racing92 10

If you were to ask European Rugby fans which tournament would be the least likely to play out an arm wrestle, both Racing92 and Harlequins almost certainly would be the near the top of the list. 

Alas, the two of the competition's most exuberant sides were at the mercy of mother nature, as the rain poured down in South West London during their match. 

Not even the magical Finn Russell could defy the conditions, as both sides saw several promising attacks yield little in terms of points. 

Now sitting with two losses and just a single losing bonus point, Racing is on the verge of bowing out before the real action even begins. 

Having succumb to a powerful Leinster side in Round 1, the Parisians likely will have to win in Dublin to progress. 

2️⃣ tries from @Harlequins secured the points at The Stoop 🏟

You can watch the extended highlights of their #HeinekenChampionsCup game against Racing 92 on YouTube right now!

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 18, 2022

For Quins, the win keeps them alive following their opening-round loss in what was a scintillating clash with the Cell C Sharks in Durban. 

While this clash was by no means a vintage Quins performance, it was a memorable win for a side that, at times, has been accused of being ‘soft’ when the going gets tough. 

Despite this, there were two particularly impressive moments for the Londoners, the first being George Head’s superbly taken try in the third minute of the game and their second courtesy of Andre Esterhuizen in the 50th minute. 

Both sides now face a number of clashes in their domestic leagues, before reconvening for their return clash in Paris.

Harlequins: 15. Nick David, 14. Cadan Murley, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Josh Bassett, 10. Tommy Allan, 9. Danny Care, 1. Fin Baxter, 2. George Head, 3. Simon Kerrod, 4. Dino Lamb, 5. Irné Herbst, 6. Jack Kenningham, 7. Will Evans, 8. Alex Dombrandt (c).

Replacements: 16. Jack Musk, 17. Jordan Els, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. George Hammond, 20. Tom Lawday, 21. Lewis Gjaltema, 22. Will Edwards, 23. Oscar Beard. 

Racing 92: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Christian Wade, 13. Francis Saili, 12. Gael Fickou (c), 11. Donovan Taofifenua, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Teddy Iribaren, 1. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Janick Tarrit, 3. Biyi Alo, 4. Boris Palu, 5. Fabien Sanconnie, 6. Cameron Woki, 7. Anthime Hemery, 8. Kitione Kamikamica.

Replacements: 16. Péniami Narisia, 17. Jonathan Maïau, 18. Cedate Gomes Sa, 19. Anton Bresler, 20. Baptiste Chouzenoux, 21. Antoine Gibert, 22. Henry Chavancy, 23. Louis Dupichot.

Written by Philip Bendon