Munster secure Champions Cup qualification with Northampton bonus point defeat | HIGHLIGHTS

Despite the loss, Munster did secure their passage into the Round of 16 due to the losing bonus point picked up.

It was defeat for Munster in their final Investec Champions Cup pool game, as Northampton Saints came up with a strong finish in the final quarter to claim a 26-23 victory at Thomond Park.

Despite the loss, Munster did secure their passage into the Round of 16 due to the losing bonus point picked up.

Munster went into the interval with an eight point lead, Northampton having been reduced to 13 men following a red card to hooker Curtis Langdon just before the break, with full-back George Furbank picking up a yellow card three minutes earlier.

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The visitors took the lead at the end of the opening quarter when scrum-half Alex Mitchell crossed and his half-back partner Fin Smith converted.

Jack Crowley reduced the margin nine minutes from the break with a penalty from 30 metres and Munster hit the front two minutes before half-time when Antoine Frisch finished after a tapped penalty.

Crowley converted before Peter O’Mahony went over in stoppage time to give the home side lead 15-7 at the break.

Gavin Coombes touched down for Munster’s third try to push his side ten points clear, but Northampton did not give in, as Smith landed a penalty and a drop goal to cut the gap to four points.

Crowley managed to extend the lead to 23-16 as the clock ticked down, but another penalty from Smith left four between them.

The pivotal moment came with nine minutes to go, as Northampton took control when Sam Graham went over. Smith nailed the conversion and Munster were unable to produce a late winner.

Graham Rowntree’s men still did enough to qualify for the last 16, where they will once again meet Northampton Saints.