Toulouse coach Guy Noves sparked a debate over the choice of Heineken Cup final match referee Nigel Owens after their 16-13 defeat to Munster.

Noves was incensed that the Welshman was picked to officiate the final after also being in charge of several Munster matches along their route to the Millennium Stadium, including their quarter and semi-finals.

Noves said: "I respect the way Munster play to the limit of the law in the way their defensive line stopped us playing.

"The referee controlled the contract area in a certain way and Munster have played before with the same referee in the pool stage, quarter-final, semi-final and final.

"I've never seen that happen before but it meant Munster knew how to play to his style."

Toulouse captain Fabien Pelous' second-half sin binning was a critical factor behind his team not being able to challenge for a fourth Heineken Cup crown.

And Noves added: "We put them under a lot of pressure for the first 25 minutes or so. We were there in terms of physicality.

"We know Munster are a team of great quality, but I felt a turning point was the yellow card for Fabien Pelous."