Four Bordeaux tries in a frantic first 40 for Munster meant they found themselves 19 points behind at half-time, despite a late try from Alex Nankivell. In the second half they came out with renewed energy, Andrew Smith scoring two tries, with the province also awarded a penalty try late on.
Ultimately however it was Bordeaux-Begles who secured their place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final with their six tries and 47 points.
Next Munster will take on Vodacom Bulls at Thomond Park on Saturday, April 19, 5.15pm kick-off. Buy tickets here.
Bordeaux started their quarter-final campaign with a blistering start as Damien Penaud dove over in the corner after just five minutes, Matthieu Jalibert was off target with the conversion. Munster added their first points of the match just five minutes with a short-range penalty thanks to Jack Crowley, 5-3.
Head contact on prop Ben Tameifuna meant Bordeaux were awarded a penalty, returning to their early five-point advantage. A second try followed from scrum-half Maxime Lucu, after Penaud stormed down the left wing, kicking it through for their captain to get the ball down. The conversion was good 15-3.
After excellent kick to touch from Lucu, Bordeaux put themselves on the front foot. They looked to score with Louis Bielle-Biarrey receiving a looping pass out on the wing, but Munster defence held firm with a superb try-saving tackle from Thaakir Abrahams. The numerous travelling Munster fans showing their support.
Jon Echegaray evaded several Munster defenders with clever footwork before offloading to Peter Samu to get Bordeaux’s third try, Jalibert added the extras to leave the hosts in the lead 20-3.
Munster were penalised at the breakdown after Crowley took a high ball, Jalibert was off target and Munster remained 19 points adrift ten minutes before half-time.
A fourth Bordeaux try came from Echegaray after relentless pressure. Jalibert converted, 29-3.
It wasn’t until just before the half time whistle that Munster got their first try as Alex Nankivell got hold of a pass from Craig Casey to get down. Crowley’s vital conversion reduced the deficit going into half-time 29-10.
Munster went straight into the first half with renewed energy, earning themselves a penalty from Bordeaux obstruction. Crowley kicked to corner, with a powerful driving maul headed toward the line, but a knock-on turned over the ball.
Cyril Cazeaux was sent to the sin bin, Jalibert missed a long range penalty, and Munster gained momentum, making the most of the fourteen-man Bordeaux side.
Tom Farrell broke away in midfield, with the ball sent wide to Andrew Smith, who got Munster’s second try. Crowley’s conversion hit the posts, the scoreboard 29-15.
Jalibert slotted a Bordeaux penalty this time as the hosts extended their lead 32-15.
Tom Ahern received a yellow card for offside, and the two teams continued one man down.
Bordeaux earnt their fifth try despite a huge Munster maul defence. Jalibert was off target with the conversion, 37-15.
Munster were penalised at the maul with Alex Kendellen sin-binned at 64 minutes and Jalibert earning his side three from the tee, 40-15.
A brilliant break from Seán O’Brien was deliberately knocked-on by Echegaray, and the Bordeaux full back was sent to the bin. A penalty try was awarded to Munster as a result, 40-22.
A chip through from Crowley sent Andrew Smith over the line for the visitor’s third try and the winger’s second, Crowley converted and the Munstermen looked like they were in with a chance of pulling it back, 40-29.
A Bordeaux red card sent Cyril Cazeaux off with five minutes to go, but there was still time left for Louis Bielle-Biarrey to score, which Lucu converted.
Munster: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash (Seán O’Brien ’57), Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Andrew Smith; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Conor Murray ’66); Josh Wycherley (Mark Donnelly ’71), Diarmuid Barron (Niall Scannell ’37), Oli Jager (Stephen Archer, ‘49); Jean Kleyn (Fineen Wycherley ‘62), Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony (Tom Ahern ‘49), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes (Alex Kendellen ’64).
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O’Brien, Alex Kendellen.
