Munster reignited their Investec Champions Cup pool 3 campaign with an impressive bonus-point triumph over Toulon at Stade Mayol on Saturday afternoon.

After following up an opening- round draw with Bayonne on home soil by losing out to Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, the Irish province were desperately in need of a win at the French venue. They initially found themselves ten points adrift to the Top 14 outfit — who had suffered back-to-back European defeats in advance of this contest — but Munster ultimately rallied to come away with the maximum five points on offer.

This result (coupled with Glasgow Warriors’ narrow defeat by Exeter) puts the reigning United Rugby Championship title-holders in third spot in the pool standings before Northampton Saints’ visit to Thomond Park next Saturday. Although Munster still have a number of key figures on the treatment table, they were able to welcome back Alex Nankivell, Niall Scannell and former captain Peter O’Mahony from their respective ankle, groin and shoulder issues.

Ireland internationals Jack Crowley and Craig Casey also resumed their half-back partnership after missing out on the New Year’s Day defeat by Connacht in the URC, while the Bordeaux-bound Joey Carbery returned from his own prolonged absence because of a wrist injury to take his place amongst the replacements.

Toulon opened the scoring with a 16th-minute penalty from their dependable full back Melvyn Jaminet.

Pierre Mignoni’s side were keen to outline their attacking intent and subsequently carved open the Munster defence for a superb try on 23 minutes.

After collecting Crowley’s kick into the Toulon 22, Jiuta Wainiqolo embarked on a magnificent break that saw him beating no fewer than five opposition players before picking out centre Duncan Paia’aua for a simple finish under the posts. Jaminet’s routine conversion left Munster those ten points in arrears but, to their credit, the visiting team then fired back in consummate fashion.

Crowley finally opened their account with a penalty from a left-hand angle on 28 minutes and this was swiftly followed by a powerful try from Nankivell just beyond the half-hour mark. The New Zealand native crashed over the whitewash via a neat Casey pass and with Crowley comfortably supplying the extras, Munster were suddenly back on level terms.

They were now playing with a greater degree of confidence and even though another Jaminet penalty edged Toulon back in front, it was Munster who held the decisive edge at the interval.

When Crowley chipped the ball over the top of the opposing rearguard with just under four minutes remaining in the opening period, Simon Zebo was ideally placed to dot down for his 35th top-tier European try. Crowley knocked over another conversion with minimal fuss and this ensured that Munster led 17-13 heading into the dressing rooms at the break.

Momentum was now very much with Graham Rowntree’s men and their chances of success were bolstered seven minutes after the restart when the towering lock Thomas Ahern gathered Crowley’s crossfield kick on the right flank and reached over for a five-pointer in the corner.

While this seemed to leave the hosts in a perilous position, they came storming back into contention when flanker Cornell du Preez supplied the finishing touches to a 54th minute attack that had gone through several Toulon hands.

Despite Jaminet’s wayward bonus strike, just four points (22-18) separated the teams with the final-quarter fast approaching. Munster maintained their composure, however, and wrapped up a try bonus when Calvin Nash leapt into the air to secure a box-kick from Casey and then proceeded to race over the line in clinical style.

Scorers: Toulon: Tries Paia’aua (23 mins), C du Preez (54). Cons Jaminet (24). Pens Jaminet 2 (16, 35). Munster: Tries Nankivell (31), Zebo (37), Ahern (47), Nash (59). Cons Crowley 3 (32, 38, 61). Pens Crowley (28).

Toulon M Jaminet; J Wainiqolo (S Tuicuvu 67), W Nayacalevu, D Paia’aua, L Fainga’anuku; D Biggar (J Sinzelle 61), B White (J Danglot 65); D Priso (B Devaux 53), C Tolofua (J Singleton 53), K Brookes (B Gigashvili 53); M Halagahu (B Alainu’uese 61), D Ribbans; C du Preez, F Isa, S Tolofua (J Coulon 36-40 & 61).

Munster S Zebo (S O’Brien 72); C Nash, A Frisch, A Nankivell (J Carbery 71), S Daly; J Crowley, C Casey (C Murray 71); J Loughman (J Wycherley 77), N Scannell (E Clarke 77), J Ryan (S Archer 65); T Ahern, T Beirne; P O’Mahony (A Kendellen 64), J Hodnett, G Coombes (B Gleeson 78).

Referee N Amashukeli (Georgia).