Clermont Auvergne number eight Fritz Lee may be cited for repeatedly punching Munster captain Peter O'Mahony in the 10th minute of the 16-9 victory at Thomond Park.

The incident was not seen by referee Wayne Barnes, nor was it shown by broadcaster Sky Sports in the immediate replays.

Anthony Foley also missed it but the Munster coach was unequivocal about which team dominated the physical stakes.

“Clermont came over here and did a big physical number on us,” said Foley. “They found their way out of Thomond Park with four points, not many teams do that. Got to give them credit for that.”

Following this first ever defeat to French opposition in Limerick, Munster must now become the first Irish team to win at Stade Marcel Michelin if they are to keep their European campaign afloat.

Castres ended Clermont’s remarkable 77-game unbeaten home record last May.

“We lost the physical battle,” Foley reiterated. “We never put them under sustained pressure. That’s down to good defence out of them. They turned us over a helluva lot when we got into position.”

Dave Kilcoyne and Gerhard van den Heever are both unlikely to feature in next Sunday's return fixture after being forced off with knee injuries. James Cronin is a ready-made replacement for Kilcoyne while Andrew Conway should come in for the South African wing.

O'Mahony has also been passed fit, despite taking enormous punishment, which included a late tackle by Jamie Cudmore, while Robin Copeland is due to return as backrow cover.

“We are not going to throw in any towel,” added Foley. “We will stay fighting, stay true to the badge that we wear, make sure we turn up next week. It’s not a great feeling in the Munster camp.

“We felt very confident of getting a physical job done on them. We are not making excuses. Clermont were the better team. We need to rectify that, we need to go over there and get one back on them.

“We just need to turn up and play.”