INJURIES TAKE THE GLOUC OFF

Defending champions Leinster fell to their first loss in Europe’s premier club competition in 11 games as Toulouse celebrated as if they had won the tournament outright.

A year ago the French side were playing in the Challenge Cup for the first time and were a long way from the heights of their best days, when they became the first club to conquer Europe four times.

Leinster joined them on that magic number at the end of last season and such has been their recent dominance that James Ryan tasted defeat with the province for the first time yesterday, over a year after his debut and in his 21st game.

All told, this clash of Europe’s old and new royalty lived up to billing in a thrilling encounter.

In the end it was a classic Toulouse counter attack that won it, courtesy of Luke Mcgrath’s pass to Jack Conan being intercepted on the edge of the hosts’ 22.

Four passes later Maxime Medard was sliding over for his second try.

Thomas Ramos’ touchline conversion put Toulouse back in front with 10 minutes remaining and they showed courage and discipline to hold out as Leinster tried everything to get back in front.

Before leaving for France, Cullen had cautioned against the hyperbole that greeted Leinster’s opening eight-try salvo against Wasps and there were plenty of errors for him to FIVE points was the perfect return but injuries to key players marred Munster’s Champions Cup win over Gloucester at the weekend.

Hooker Niall Scannell missed out because of an ankle injury while Tommy O’donnell’s suspected broken leg, Rhys Marshall’s upper leg injury and Dan Goggin’s knee knock will hit the squad hard.

On the week he signed a new two-year Munster contract extension, the injury to O’donnell the

Munster 36 Gloucester 22

(right) was especially unfortunate.

Reds coach Johann van Graan said: “It’s a big loss only eight weeks into the season and three starters that go down like this.

“We talk about player welfare but the game is becoming more and more physical, guys are getting shots.”

Tries from Mike Haley and Marshall before the break put Munster in good shape while Joey Carbery, Sammy Arnold and Andrew Conway also crossed.