Next weekend the Munster faithful move from South Africa to Bordeaux as a Champions Cup semi-final clash with Racing looms.
While Johann van Graan's side warmed up for the fixture with back-to-back victories in South Africa, Racing took on Toulouse today in a significant clash given just four points separated the sides in the Top 14, with Racing on 70. The game did not go according to plan for the Paris-based side who ran out 42-25 losers. However, crucially, a last-minute try ensured it was only a four-point win rather than five meaning Racing are on course for a home quarter-final.
For 69 minutes Toulouse dominated Racing. A team that included Dan Carter, Yannick Nyanga, Joe Rokocoko and Ben Tameifuna rested several of their other big guns with next week's game evidently on the mind. Maxime Medard and Gael Fickou were lethal in the opening hour before Dimitri Szarzewski and Rémi Talès clawed back late tries.
Confident of a Munster win next weekend since QF. Having watched Racing 92 this afternoon, I'm even more so. French side appear fatigued by a long season. If Munster play the SF game at any kind of high tempo, Bilbao awaits #LLSport
— Donn O'Sullivan (@DonnOSullivan) April 15, 2018
Really hope Racing tackle against Munster next week like they're tackling against Toulose today. They won't though #Top14
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) April 15, 2018
Toulouse taking racing 92 apart 👀🤷🏾♂️ mental scenes
— Ross Pritchard (@RossPritch09) April 15, 2018
In the last minute, Rokocoko finished a sweeping try to ensure the teams finished tied on points in the table. Toulouse fans were incensed by the decision given the last defender tripped over the referee's leg.
On the Munster front, there is good news with regards to Keith Earls who is ahead of schedule in terms of his return from injury while Simon Zebo togged out during their victory against the Cheetahs.
