Toulouse continued their unbeaten run in the Heineken Champions Cup with a hard-fought 20-16 win over Munster at the Stade Ernest Wallon.

Juan Cruz Mallia scored for the hosts in the first half and Munster responded with John Hodnett's try.

Tadhg Beirne's try gave Munster hope but Melvyn Jaminet's five penalties kicked Toulouse to victory.

Toulouse are set to play the Bulls in the last 16, while Munster will have to wait to discover their opponents until after the final Pool A match between Edinburgh and Saracens.

The hosts gained the ascendency in the opening stages, winning the majority of collisions and dominating territory and possession.

An early penalty from Jaminet helped settle the game and minutes later, sustained attacking pressure paid off as Toulouse scored out wide through Argentina winger Mallia.

A further Jaminet penalty on 16 minutes nudged his side further ahead, but Munster grew into the game and a period of pressure was eventually rewarded when flanker Hodnett burrowed over to bring his side back within touching distance. Fly-half Joey Carbery, who missed out on Andy Farrell's Six Nations squad, skewed the conversion wide.

A Carbery penalty just before half-time reduced the deficit although Toulouse went in 11-8 ahead at the break.

Munster scored first in the second-half, when Ireland second row Beirne crashed over in the corner following a frantic passage of play.

The ebb and flow continued, both sides traded penalties and Jaminet's accuracy with his boot put his side ahead 17-16.

Ben Healy was shown a yellow card for a high challenge and the replacement's time in the sin bin shifted the momentum further in favour of the hosts, and a further penalty from Jaminet put the result beyond doubt.

Toulouse: Jaminet; Mallia, Barassi, Ahki, Delibes; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Aldegheri; Arnold, Meafou; Jelonch, J Willis, Roumat.

Replacements: Cramont, Neti, Ainu'u, Flament, Brennan, Cros, Capuozzo, Retiere.

Munster: Haley; Nash, Frisch, Crowley, Daly; Carbery, Casey; Kilcoyne, Scannell, Ryan; Kleyn, Beirne; O'Mahony (capt), Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: Barron, J Wycherley, Salanoa, O'Sullivan, Kendellen, Murray, Healy, Malakai Fekitoa.

Referee: K Dickson (Eng)