19 mins ago
46′ – MUN 3-9 SAR: Daly nails it. Sarries lead by six. Munster cannot afford to allow this to become a two-score game.
25 mins ago
41′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Decent start to the second half by Munster but it all ends with a poor pass by Tadhg Beirne and a knock-on by Tom Farrell.
Their skills have just been off today, and for so much of the season to be honest. But some...
39 mins ago
It’s been one of these for Munster so far. Very difficult to call. All to play for in the second half!
41′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Decent start to the second half by Munster but it all ends with a poor pass by Tadhg Beirne and a knock-on by Tom Farrell.
Their skills have just been off today, and for so much of the season to be honest. But some cause for optimism in the extent to which they started the second half with quick, front-foot ball there.
It’s been one of these for Munster so far. Very difficult to call. All to play for in the second half!
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
43 mins ago
6:18PM
40′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Ivan van Zyl box-chips down the right edge and Liam Williams is inches from scoring a Saracens try. Under pressure from Crowley, however, he spills the ball forward in the air and Munster win a scrum on their own 5′.
Lock this out and take half-time will be the plan.
49 mins ago
6:12PM
35′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Brilliant attacking maul by Munster but it’s stopped short, goes to deck, and Sarries go nuts as they win the scrum. Chance missed.
Jaysus, there were probably three Munster penalties in there from what I can see on the replay, but referee Brousset disagrees.
This game has heated up nicely though.
51 mins ago
6:10PM
34′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Munster win the ball at the front and Sarries make two separate infringements, one at the lineout and one on the ground.
Crowley kicks Munster to the away 5′. Big, big chance!
52 mins ago
6:09PM
33′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Munster win a scrum penalty! A bit of a turn-up for the books, there, and Crowley prods them into the English 22′. Their lineout has been 100% accurate but they’re throwing to the front, which is allowing Sarries to blitz them off the back.
54 mins ago
6:07PM
31′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Good to bad by Crowley as he misses touch from a penalty. Tried to get too much out of it.
Daly clears to touch on the Sarries 10′, so Munster will still get the put-in to the lineout.
56 mins ago
6:05PM
28′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: A moment of magic from Jack Crowley which ultimately leads to nothing — but crikey, it was exhilarating: the Munster 10 catches a kick inside his own half. He chips low into space and regathers the ball inside the Saracens half. He then chips over the head of the final defender, Elliot Daly, and catches the ball on the hop! But the ball then somehow squirts out of Crowley’s grasp as he starts thinking about one of the greatest individual scores the competition has ever seen!
So unluckly. Absolutely stunning bit of play by the Bandon man.
58 mins ago
6:02PM
27′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: A Crowley clearance on his 22′ is charged down and Sarries gather the bobbling ball on the Munster 5′!
Munster, though, scramble unbelievably well and eventually drive Saracens back out of their 22′! What a defensive set by the hosts.
24′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Tidy lineout by Munster but they’re adjudged to have knocked on at the base of the ensuing ruck.
However, after a word in his ear, referee Brousset reverses his call and Jamie George is pinged for playing the ball on the ground.
So, after all that, Munster have another penalty deep inside the Sarries’ 22′. They take their points through Crowley.
Munster claim three back!
1 hr ago
5:57PM
22′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Excellent defensive read by Conor Murray near midfield and then Gavin Coombes blasts Saracens off their own ball. Brilliant counter-ruck by the Skibbereen man — and he wins a penalty as he’s prevented from lifting the ball!
Crowley boots Munster into the Saracens 22′. First chance here for the hosts!
1 hr ago
5:55PM
22′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: There have been no try-scoring chances for either side but because Sarries are so far on top in the kicking game and aerial contest, Munster haven’t had even a chance to get anything going in transition.
Sarries effectively suffocating Munster so far.
1 hr ago
5:50PM
18′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Saracens destroying Munster in the air at the moment, winning scrum advantages and applying pressure with second kicks in behind the Munster back three.
1 hr ago
5:47PM
14′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Another chip and chase by Fergus Burke into the Munster secondary reaps reward. Shane Daly spills forward inside the Munster half. It’s clearly something Saracens have identified — they’ve tried it three times to significant success.
Their attack, however, comes to an end when Elliot Daly kicks out on the full. Right option but wrong execution by the England backfielder.
10′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Munster are penalised for holding on between their own 10-metre line and 22′.
Lozowski chips over another three points for Sarries. Easy does it. They’ll be delighted with their start.
1 hr ago
5:40PM
8′ – MUN 0-3 SAR: Munster escape as Fergus Burke chips and chases down the middle. The scrambling Haley fails to gather the ball and it dribbles over the Munster line. Calvin Nash eventually scrapes it off the floor and clears it as far as the Munster 22′.
1 hr ago
5:37PM
5′ – MUN 0-3 SAR: Munster tap the free and make it deep inside the Sarries’ 22′ — Dian Bleuler with a half-break that gains the most distance.
Eventually, Rory Scannell’s pass goes to ground, Munster lose yardage, and Tadhg Beirne then knocks on. Sarries scrum outside their own 22′.
They lock it out and get moving from deep.
1 hr ago
5:35PM
4′ – MUN 0-3 SAR: First scrum of the day as Elliot Daly spills an up-and-under by Jack Crowley.
Munster put-in between the Sarries 10-metre line and 22′.
Munster win the free-kick for an early shove by Sarries.
1′ – MUN 0-0 SAR: Munster gather the kick-off but are immediately turned over as Mike Haley spills the ball backwards. Sarries then win a penalty as Munster stray offside, I think.
Easy three points here for Alex Lozowski — and he gobbles them up. Sarries lead inside the opening minute.
Poor start for Munster, perfect start for the Premiership side.
1 hr ago
5:31PM
Kick-off
1′ – MUN 0-0 SAR: Here we go! Fergus Burke gets the action underway at a fervent Thomond Park.
Almost go-time at Thomond. Munster expecting about 22,000 fans in the building.
They’re going to need every one of them, you’d suspect. I would make Sarries slight favourites here, personally.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
1 hr ago
5:12PM
Teams
A reminder of how the sides will line out in Thomond:
Conor Murray starts for Munster on his return from injury, partnering Jack Crowley at half-back. Peter O’Mahony, however, doesn’t make it, which is a serious blow for a Munster lineout which has often been shambolic this season.
Munster
A reminder of your Munster team to take on Saracens at Thomond Park this evening (5.30pm) 💪
Saracens boss Mark McCall has made two changes from the side that beat Bristol Bears in the Premiership last Saturday, with Liam Williams returning on the wing and Phil Brantingham named at loosehead.
Hello, everyone, and welcome to our live coverage of Munster’s pivotal Champions Cup pool encounter with Saracens at Thomond Park.
The two-time champions host the three-time champions in need of a victory, having picked up six points in their opening two games and with a tricky trip to Northampton left on their schedule.
Visitors Sarries will book a safe passage through to the knockouts with victory in Limerick.
Munster captain Tadhg Beirne. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Sarries and England star Maro Itoje. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
It’s Gavan Casey with you here and if you can’t make it to Thomond or to a TV this evening, I’ll bring you live updates of every score and every big incident.
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LIVE: Munster v Saracens, Champions Cup
51′ – MUN 3-9 SAR: Munster win a pen as Jack O’Donoghue is fouled in the air during a lineout for the second time.
Munster will kick for goal — but it’s a toughie. A solid 45 metres upcoming for Crowley with a right-hand angle.
46′ – MUN 3-9 SAR: Daly nails it. Sarries lead by six. Munster cannot afford to allow this to become a two-score game.
45′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: After a scrappy few minutes by both sides, Fineen Wycherley concedes a penalty as he’s left on the wrong side after a tackle.
It’s about 45 metres from goal and Elliot Daly is going to kick for the sticks.
41′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Decent start to the second half by Munster but it all ends with a poor pass by Tadhg Beirne and a knock-on by Tom Farrell.
Their skills have just been off today, and for so much of the season to be honest. But some cause for optimism in the extent to which they started the second half with quick, front-foot ball there.
It’s been one of these for Munster so far. Very difficult to call. All to play for in the second half!
40′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Ivan van Zyl box-chips down the right edge and Liam Williams is inches from scoring a Saracens try. Under pressure from Crowley, however, he spills the ball forward in the air and Munster win a scrum on their own 5′.
Lock this out and take half-time will be the plan.
35′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Brilliant attacking maul by Munster but it’s stopped short, goes to deck, and Sarries go nuts as they win the scrum. Chance missed.
Jaysus, there were probably three Munster penalties in there from what I can see on the replay, but referee Brousset disagrees.
This game has heated up nicely though.
34′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Munster win the ball at the front and Sarries make two separate infringements, one at the lineout and one on the ground.
Crowley kicks Munster to the away 5′. Big, big chance!
33′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Munster win a scrum penalty! A bit of a turn-up for the books, there, and Crowley prods them into the English 22′. Their lineout has been 100% accurate but they’re throwing to the front, which is allowing Sarries to blitz them off the back.
31′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Good to bad by Crowley as he misses touch from a penalty. Tried to get too much out of it.
Daly clears to touch on the Sarries 10′, so Munster will still get the put-in to the lineout.
28′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: A moment of magic from Jack Crowley which ultimately leads to nothing — but crikey, it was exhilarating: the Munster 10 catches a kick inside his own half. He chips low into space and regathers the ball inside the Saracens half. He then chips over the head of the final defender, Elliot Daly, and catches the ball on the hop! But the ball then somehow squirts out of Crowley’s grasp as he starts thinking about one of the greatest individual scores the competition has ever seen!
So unluckly. Absolutely stunning bit of play by the Bandon man.
27′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: A Crowley clearance on his 22′ is charged down and Sarries gather the bobbling ball on the Munster 5′!
Munster, though, scramble unbelievably well and eventually drive Saracens back out of their 22′! What a defensive set by the hosts.
Thomond rocking now.
24′ – MUN 3-6 SAR: Tidy lineout by Munster but they’re adjudged to have knocked on at the base of the ensuing ruck.
However, after a word in his ear, referee Brousset reverses his call and Jamie George is pinged for playing the ball on the ground.
So, after all that, Munster have another penalty deep inside the Sarries’ 22′. They take their points through Crowley.
Munster claim three back!
22′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Excellent defensive read by Conor Murray near midfield and then Gavin Coombes blasts Saracens off their own ball. Brilliant counter-ruck by the Skibbereen man — and he wins a penalty as he’s prevented from lifting the ball!
Crowley boots Munster into the Saracens 22′. First chance here for the hosts!
22′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: There have been no try-scoring chances for either side but because Sarries are so far on top in the kicking game and aerial contest, Munster haven’t had even a chance to get anything going in transition.
Sarries effectively suffocating Munster so far.
18′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Saracens destroying Munster in the air at the moment, winning scrum advantages and applying pressure with second kicks in behind the Munster back three.
14′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Another chip and chase by Fergus Burke into the Munster secondary reaps reward. Shane Daly spills forward inside the Munster half. It’s clearly something Saracens have identified — they’ve tried it three times to significant success.
Their attack, however, comes to an end when Elliot Daly kicks out on the full. Right option but wrong execution by the England backfielder.
10′ – MUN 0-6 SAR: Munster are penalised for holding on between their own 10-metre line and 22′.
Lozowski chips over another three points for Sarries. Easy does it. They’ll be delighted with their start.
8′ – MUN 0-3 SAR: Munster escape as Fergus Burke chips and chases down the middle. The scrambling Haley fails to gather the ball and it dribbles over the Munster line. Calvin Nash eventually scrapes it off the floor and clears it as far as the Munster 22′.
5′ – MUN 0-3 SAR: Munster tap the free and make it deep inside the Sarries’ 22′ — Dian Bleuler with a half-break that gains the most distance.
Eventually, Rory Scannell’s pass goes to ground, Munster lose yardage, and Tadhg Beirne then knocks on. Sarries scrum outside their own 22′.
They lock it out and get moving from deep.
4′ – MUN 0-3 SAR: First scrum of the day as Elliot Daly spills an up-and-under by Jack Crowley.
Munster put-in between the Sarries 10-metre line and 22′.
Munster win the free-kick for an early shove by Sarries.
1′ – MUN 0-0 SAR: Munster gather the kick-off but are immediately turned over as Mike Haley spills the ball backwards. Sarries then win a penalty as Munster stray offside, I think.
Easy three points here for Alex Lozowski — and he gobbles them up. Sarries lead inside the opening minute.
Poor start for Munster, perfect start for the Premiership side.
1′ – MUN 0-0 SAR: Here we go! Fergus Burke gets the action underway at a fervent Thomond Park.
Almost go-time at Thomond. Munster expecting about 22,000 fans in the building.
They’re going to need every one of them, you’d suspect. I would make Sarries slight favourites here, personally.
A reminder of how the sides will line out in Thomond:
Conor Murray starts for Munster on his return from injury, partnering Jack Crowley at half-back. Peter O’Mahony, however, doesn’t make it, which is a serious blow for a Munster lineout which has often been shambolic this season.
Munster
Saracens boss Mark McCall has made two changes from the side that beat Bristol Bears in the Premiership last Saturday, with Liam Williams returning on the wing and Phil Brantingham named at loosehead.
Saracens
Call it…
Poll Results:
Pierre Brousset of France will be your man in the middle this evening.
Hello, everyone, and welcome to our live coverage of Munster’s pivotal Champions Cup pool encounter with Saracens at Thomond Park.
The two-time champions host the three-time champions in need of a victory, having picked up six points in their opening two games and with a tricky trip to Northampton left on their schedule.
Visitors Sarries will book a safe passage through to the knockouts with victory in Limerick.
It’s Gavan Casey with you here and if you can’t make it to Thomond or to a TV this evening, I’ll bring you live updates of every score and every big incident.
Kick-off is in just under half an hour’s time!
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