Jack Crowley stated his case for the starting fly-half spot in Ireland’s Six Nations team with an impressive performance at the heart of Munster Rugby’s 29-18 win at RC Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup.
Crowley kicked a penalty and conversions for three of Munster Rugby’s four tries, but alongside scrum-half Craig Casey he was also the creative heartbeat in a famous victory.
The result leaves RC Toulon winless after the first three rounds of action in Pool 3, with Munster Rugby picking up their first victory in the competition this season to boost their hopes of making the Round of 16.
In a topsy-turvy first half, Munster Rugby headed in 17-13 up at the break with tries from centre Alex Nankivell and full-back Simon Zebo, both converted by Crowley who also added a penalty.
But the Irish province had been 10-0 down at one point to their TOP14 hosts; full-back Melvyn Jaminet kicked the first points of the game from the tee in the 15th minute, before he added the extras to a stunning try from centre Duncan Paia’aua which had been made by the powerful run of wing Jiuta Wainiqolo.
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Munster Rugby then fought back, with another Jaminet penalty cancelled out when Zebo collected Crowley’s clever dink over the RC Toulon line to dot down.
Another Crowley kick set up Munster Rugby’s third try, the fly-half spreading it out wide for lock Tom Ahern to go over in the corner for another five.
Despite flanker Cornell du Preez going over for the hosts, wing Calvin Nash then struck to extend Munster Rugby’s lead and, crucially, secure the bonus point; this time it was Casey who kicked well, with Nash gathering impressively to run through and dot down.
Crowley kicked the extras to give the visitors an 11-point lead heading into the final 20 minutes, and it proved insurmountable for the hosts.
RC Toulon will now travel to Glasgow Warriors for Round 4 with both teams needing a win, while Munster Rugby will also be keen to defeat Northampton Saints back at Thomond Park.
