Castres-Munster Champions Cup encounter ends in 17-17 draw

Castres 17-17 Munster, Stade Pierre Fabre
Scorecard

Munster managed to survive a second-half onslaught from Castres as they held on for a 17-17 draw in their European Champions Cup Pool Four opener at Stade Pierre Fabre.

The visitors had an early setback in the game when Conor Murray was sin-binned in the fourth minute and eight minutes later, Robert Ebersohn got Castres off the mark with a try allowing Ben Urdapilleta to slot the extras.

Munster went on to level the scores following a touchdown from Simon Zebo in the 30th minute but Castres reclaimed their seven point lead a minute later when Julien Dumora went past the line.

The home side's momentum was dented a bit when Ebersohn was sin-binned in the 37th minute while fly half Tyler Bleyendaal kicked a penalty to ensure Munster's trail was down to four points at half time.

Dave Kilcoyne got Munster into lead for the first time with his early try in the second half but Castres went on to level the scores 17-17 with Urdapilleta kicking his first penalty in the 50th minute.

Castres did get a couple of opportunities deep into injury time when Munster was desperate defending their own line, a penalty was denied by the TMO while Urdapilleta's sliced drop goal attempt at the closing stage went wide of the post as the encounter ended in a draw.