Hopes of an All-Irish Champions Cup final are over after Munster lost 32-16 to Saracens in the semi-final stage at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.
? @Saracens are in the Final ?
A dominant, brutal display from the English side as they book their place at St James’ Park on 11 May ?@Munsterrugby exit at the semi-final stage once again, but what an arm wrestle we witnessed today ? pic.twitter.com/xuNU457xEC— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 20, 2024
The loss is Munster’s seventh semi-final defeat in a row and means the nations hopes now lie with Leinster as they face Toulouse on Sunday for a place in the final.
The huge physical battle was kicked off by Owen Farrell, who knocked over a penalty after only two minutes to put the hosts 3-0 up.
On nine minutes Munster struck level thanks to a Tyler Bleyendaal penalty.
Farrell kicked a further two penalties without reply by the 26th minute as Saracens went 9-3 ahead.
Bleyendaal slotted home his second penalty of the afternoon, before Conor Murray stepped up to score a monster long-range penalty to bring the sides level.
On the stroke of half-time Farrell finished as he started with his fourth penalty of the game to bring the home side 12-9 up at the whistle.
A slender advantage for @Saracens over @Munsterrugby at the break ?
Will there be a try in this match?? #Heineken #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/XCryX0V0Yu— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 20, 2024
The visitor’s massive defensive effort in the opening half told only two minutes into the second half as Saracens kept the ball well before Michael Rhodes got in for the first try of the game. Farrell converted to stretch their lead out to 19-9.
By the 53rd minute they were further in front when Farrell kicked his fifth and sixth penalties of the day to make it 25-9.
With 20 minutes remaining Munster got themselves back into the game as they worked the ball out to Darren Sweetnam who raced over to touch-down. JJ Hanrahan converted to make it 25-16.
Billy Vunipola got the next score with 10 minutes left when he broke through for his sides second try. Farrell was on hand once more to add the extras.
Saracens were reduced to 14 men when Vincent Koch was sin-binned, but it made little difference as Saracens held on for a 32-16 win.
After the game a fan wearing a Munster jersey confronted Billy Vunipola following his support for Israel Folau’s anti-LGBT comments on social media recently. Which left a soar taste to the tie.
In the post-match press conference Munster head coach Johann van Graan admitted his side were second-best on the day.
“We weren’t good enough on the day, we got beaten by the better team so no excuses from our side,” he said.
Saracens march on to the final in Newcastle
now where they will face either Leinster or Toulouse. While Munster now look
towards their next game with Connacht as they look to pip Glasgow to top spot in
Conference A of the Pro 14.
Player
Ratings:
Saracens
= Alex Goode (7), David Strettle (7), Alex Lozowski
(6), Brad Barritt (6), Liam Williams (7), Owen Farrell (9), Ben Spencer (8);
Mako Vunipola (7), Jamie George (7), Titi Lamositele (8), Maro Itoje (8),
George Kruis (7), Michael Rhodes (8), Jackson Wray (7), Billy Vunipola (7)
Replacements (7)
Munster
= Mike Haley (6), Andrew Conway (6), Chris Farrell
(6), Niall Scannell (7), Darren Sweetnam (7), Tyler Bleyendaal (6), Conor
Murray (7); Dave Kilcoyne (7), Niall Scannell (6), John Ryan (5), Jean Kleyn
(7), Tadhg Beirne (6), Peter O’Mahony (6), Jack O’Donoghue (6), CJ Stander (8)
Replacements (6)
