Dec 21, TBD
Ulster vs Munster
Dec 21, TBD
DHL Stormers vs Lions
Dec 21, 1:00 PM UTC
Benetton vs Zebre Parma
Dec 21, 1:30 PM UTC
Stade Rochelais vs ASM-Rugby
Dec 21, 3:00 PM UTC
Sharks vs Vodacom Bulls
Dec 21, 3:30 PM UTC
RC Vannes vs Aviron Bayonnais
Dec 21, 3:30 PM UTC
RC Toulonnais vs Section Paloise
Dec 21, 3:30 PM UTC
Stade Francais vs Perpignan
Dec 21, 3:30 PM UTC
MHR vs Racing 92
Dec 21, 5:15 PM UTC
Glasgow Warriors vs Edinburgh
Dec 21, 8:05 PM UTC
Castres Olympique vs Union Bordeaux
Dec 22, 8:05 PM UTC
Lyon OU vs Stade Toulousain
Dec 26, TBD
Leinster vs Connacht
Dec 26, 3:00 PM UTC
Dragons vs Cardiff
Dec 26, 5:15 PM UTC
Ospreys vs Scarlets
2024 Castres Olympique vs Munster Rugby

Castres vs Munster Rugby: CO Trip Munster In Round 2 Of Champions Cup

Castres vs Munster Rugby: CO Trip Munster In Round 2 Of Champions Cup

Munster Rugby was upset against Castres in the 19th Investec Champions Cup clash between the two sides.

Dec 13, 2024 by Joe Harrington
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Castres Olympique held off a late charge from Munster Rugby to secure a gritty 16-14 victory in their Investec Champions Cup encounter on Dec. 13 in Pool 3 action. 

The match at Stade Pierre-Fabre was defined by defensive grit and pivotal moments, with Castres’ discipline and precision under pressure proving decisive.

It is the first loss for Munster since they moved on from Graham Rowntree in October after going 2-0-0 since the change, which includes a 33-7 win over Stade Francias in Round 1. For Castres, the win is bounce back after a 38-8 loss to Northampton in Round 1. 

Castres Rugby Takes The Lead

Castres struck first in the 12th minute when Abraham Papalii crossed the line for a try, though Jeremy Fernandez missed the conversion, leaving the score at 5-0. Quentin Walcker extended the lead with a try in the 29th minute, but another missed conversion kept Castres from pulling further ahead.

Munster responded late in the half as John Hodnett scored a crucial try in the 37th minute, converted by Jack Crowley, narrowing the gap to 10-7 at halftime.

Munster Rugby Fights Back, Castres Holds On

Castres added to their lead in the 48th minute with a penalty by Jeremy Fernandez, making it 13-7. However, the game turned in Munster’s favor after Nicolas Corato was shown a yellow card in the 67th minute. Munster capitalized immediately, with Hodnett scoring his second try of the game, converted by Crowley, to take a 14-13 lead.

In the 72nd minute, Louis le Brun slotted a decisive penalty for Castres, reclaiming the lead at 16-14. Despite late efforts by Munster, the French side’s defense held firm, securing a narrow victory.

Castres vs. Munster Rugby Scoring Summary

Castres Olympique: Tries: Papalii (12’), Walcker (29’); Penalty: Fernandez (48’), le Brun (72’)

Munster Rugby: Tries: Hodnett (37’, 68’); Conversions: Crowley (38’, 69’)

What's Next For Munster Rugby, Sale Sharks In Champions Cup?

Munster heads back to Ireland for a Round 3 match against Saracens on Jan. 11. Meanwhile Castres will play the Vodacom Bulls on Jan .11 in South Africa. 

Watch Castres v Munster Free Live Stream

Watch the match for free on FloRugby!

Castres Takes Lead! 

Castres On The Attack So Far v Munster Rugby

Castres v Munster Rugby Underway!

Castres vs. Munster Rugby Set For No. 19

Munster Rugby Lineups

Castres v Munster Rugby Live Updates From Champions Cup Round 2

Munster Rugby Lineup

  1. Dian Bleuler
  2. Niall Scannell
  3. Stephen Archer
  4. Fineen Wycherley
  5. Tadhg Beirne
  6. Peter O'Mahony
  7. John Hodnett
  8. Brian Gleeson
  9. Craig Casey
  10. Jack Crowley
  11. Thaakir Abrahams
  12. Alex Nankivell
  13. Tom Farrell
  14. Calvin Nash
  15. Mike Haley

Substitutes:

16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Oli Jager, 19. Thomas Ahern, 20. Alex Kendellen, 21. Paddy Patterson, 22. Rory Scannell, 23. Jack O'Donoghue

Castres Olympique Rugby Lineup

  1. Quentin Walcker
  2. Gaetan Barlot
  3. Will Collier
  4. Gauthier Maravat
  5. Leone Nakarawa
  6. Mathieu Babillot
  7. Tyler Ardron
  8. Abraham Papali'i
  9. Jeremy Fernandez
  10. Louis Le Brun
  11. Remy Baget
  12. Adrea Cocagi
  13. Jack Goodhue
  14. Geoffrey Palis
  15. Julien Dumora

Substitutes:

16. Loris Zarantonello, 17. Wayan de Benedittis, 18. Nicolas Corato, 19. Paul Jedrasiak, 20. Feibyan Tukino, 21. Santiago Arata, 22. Theo Chabouni, 23. Adrien Seguret

Munster Rugby Vs. Castres Kickoff Time

The match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 13 at Stade Pierre-Fabre in Castres, France. 

Investec Champions Cup 2024-2025 Round 1 Results

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures In Round 2

All Times Eastern. 

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures In Round 3

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures In Round 4

Investec Champions Cup Format 

Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:

  • A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
  • 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
  • Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
  • Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
  • The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

  • Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
  • Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
  • Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
  • Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
  • Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
  • Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
  • Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
  • 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Champions Cup Qualifications 

Twenty-four clubs have qualified for the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup as follows:

  • United Rugby Championship (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • TOP 14 (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • Gallagher Premiership Rugby (8): The eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions.
  • If not already qualified, the winner of the 2024 Investec Champions Cup will take the place of the eighth-ranked club in its league.

Investec Champions Cup Qualifiers 

  • TOP 14 – Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Français Paris, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
  • GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
  • UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – Glasgow Warriors, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Ulster Rugby, Benetton Rugby, Hollywoodbets Sharks

When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

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