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Ian Keatley gets a pass away as Owen Farrell closes him down. Billy Stickland/INPHO
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Munster v Saracens, Champions Cup

We were live from Thomond Park as Anthony Foley’s side strove to make it two wins from two in Pool 1.

AFTER LAST WEEKEND’S last-gasp dramatics in Sale, Munster welcomed Saracens to Thomond Park in the Champions Cup.

There was a different feeling around Limerick this evening compared to the other home fixtures this season. The English side are always a formidable proposition in contact and their team sheet was certainly an impressive one.

Buoyed by last weekend’s late win, Munster had little time for reputations.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the match. E-mail murray@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_iepost a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Welcome along to Thomond Park for what should be a cracking night of Champions Cup action. Saracens are in town after their 30-23 victory over Clermont last weekend, while Munster prepared for this tie with that remarkable late win against Sale.

How do you see this one going? Is home advantage enough to see Munster to success?

The teamsheets are in and there are no changes to the XVs announced yesterday.

Munster: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony (capt.), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Gerhard van den Heever. 

Saracens: Alex Goode; Chris Ashton, Marlcelo Bosch, Brad Barritt (capt. ), David Strettle; Owen Farrell, Neil de Kock; Richard Barrington, Jamie George, Petrus Du Plessis; George Kruis, Jim Hamilton; Kelly Brown, Will Fraser, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Scott Spurling, Rhys Gill, James Johnston, Mouritz Botha, Jackson Wray, Richard Wigglesworth, Charlie Hodgson, Duncan Taylor.

Anthony Foley and Mark McCall share a joke out on the pitch.

Mark McCall with Anthony Foley Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

As Ian Keatley stretches.

Ian Keatley warms up before the match Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Munster arrive out on the pitch for their team warm-up to a good reception. We’re expecting easily the biggest crowd of the season in Thomond Park tonight. Terraces already filling up at this stage…

Glad to hear that Munster’s Waterford fans will be watching this one too. Here’s Niall Tuohy, a reader of TheScore.ie:

This is a big one! There’ll be in-depth match analysis in front of the big screen in Phil Grimes tonight too, c’mon Munster!

Two legends of Irish rugby are here with BT Sport this evening, as well as an Englishman who won a fair few trophies in his time.

David Wallace shares a joke with Brian O'Driscoll and Lawrence Dallaglio before the match Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

There’s an altogether different vibe in Thomond Park tonight, and why wouldn’t there be? The stands are filling up nicely now and there’s plenty of optimism in the air.

A slight drizzle has begun to fall over the Limerick stadium. Hopefully we see that clear in the next 15 minutes.

What are your predictions for this game? We’re going for a narrow Munster win…

A round of boos as Chris Ashton’s name is read out. He really is a man rugby supporters love to hate.

Simon Zebo gave us his thoughts on the Sarries wing earlier this week. Read them here.

Owen Farrell is back in the Saracens starting team this evening, but is that necessarily a bad thing for Munster? He’s England’s out-half, but you get the sense that Charlie Hodgson would have been ideally suited to exploiting Munster’s defence with his range of passing.

Will Farrell really threaten the gainline? No doubting his defence or kicking game.

Saracens head into the sheds to a bit of light-hearted abuse, with Munster still out on the pitch. A bit of a lull over Thomond Park in the crowd as the PA takes a break. The home fans will need to ratchet the volume levels up in time for kick-off.

We’ll be watching Munster’s midfield defence particularly closely. You’d have to think Saracens will target that area after Sale had a field day against Hurley and Smith in the first half at AJ Bell Stadium last weekend. Munster’s centres are sure to improve.

Munster head in now to with the crowds cheers ringing in their ears!

The by now traditional ‘Stand Up and Fight’ gets a solid outing.

CJ Stander v Billy Vunipola would be a collision to savour early on in this one. The back row battle more generally is obviously key. Tommy O’Donnell and Peter O’Mahony have been going well for Munster recently, while Kelly Brown is in strong form for Sarries.

Who’s going to come out on top there?

Just minutes to kick-off now. Munster simply cannot fail to have a good first half here. Anything like last weekend’s first 40 and the game will be gone. Sarries will not be anywhere near as accommodating as Sale were in the second half.

The teams are out on the pitch! Almost ready to go here, with Farrell set to kick us off…

1 minute - Farrell puts a start to the game!

1 minute - Great exit from Munster after Jones fielded the kick off. Keatley brings play up to beyond his side’s 10-metre line and into touch…

2 minutes - Choke tackle Munster! Big Billy Vunipola gets held up by Stander, O’Connell and Cronin in midfield! Brilliant play in defence from Munster. That’s a real marker. Turnover scrum to Munster, excellent work.

4 minutes - Superb kick from Keatley off an excellent scrum platform, with the Munster pack surging forward. Their out-half then dinked a lovely kick in over Ashton that rolled into touch outside the Sarries 22.

6 minutes - Munster kicking everything out of their own half early doors here. Sarries happy to return in kind. Some really good work around the contact from Foley’s men early on too.

7 minutes - Penalty to Saracens on the deck! Hurley made a lovely scything break on kick return, but got a little isolated in the carry. Garces feels he clung onto the ball there as Saracens competed for the turnover.

Penalty just a metre inside Munster’s half, to the right of the posts, but Bosch will have a long-range effort…

8 minutes - He’s missed, wide to the right. Munster clear out of their 22 and then force Sarries into the knock-on!

10 minutes - Munster largely looking to the aerial bomb when they get their hands on the ball so far. Looking to compete in the air with Sarries, but not getting great rewards so far. That tactic would appear to be based on the success Clermont had in that area last weekend.

11 minutes - Now Munster win the penalty right on Saracens’ 22 and out come the handbags! A nice scuffle breaks out and the Thomond Park crowd absolutely love that!

It all came from an excellent line-out move from Munster that sent Stander back down the narrow blindside. Garces is having a quick word with the Botha and Jamie George, but it’s still a Munster pen.

Keatley to have a go from around 10 metres in off the left touchline, 25 metres out from the tryline…

12 minutes - Oh my word! Keatley hits the post and Munster very nearly win the rebound under the posts! Sarries get another chance to clear and Bosch drops the ball behind the tryline! Major drama and it ends with a Munster scrum five metres out!

13 minutes – No, scrum to Sarries rather. And they’ve won a penalty from that one. Strong effort from du Plessis at tighthead. Munster went close there though, a real scare for Sarries.

15 minutes - Again, Munster look to the bomb, this time from Murray. Hurley gets in the air over Goode, but only knocks the ball on into touch. Some superb hits going in from the Saracens defence, it has to be said. Nice combination of chops around the ankles and decent body shots.

17 minutes – Big turnover from Munster after another bomb! They drive into the Saracens 22, but then Jones’ offload attempt goes to deck, forced that one. Great work from Conway on kick chase again though, helping to turn over Brown as he fielded Murray’s high kick. Foley in there as well, really determined chasing.

18 minutes - There’s bite in this one, little bits of niggle every time play breaks up. We wouldn’t expect it any other way. Munster have been camped out inside the Sarries half for some time now, even without possession. The English side haven’t really had their hands on the ball in the Munster half.

20 minutes – Penalty to Munster in their own half as Sarries come offside, they’ve really been pushing that early on. Keatley fires Munster into touch, 10 metres out from the Saracens tryline on the right! Surely the maul?

22 minutes - Very frustrating for Munster! Murray lost a little control at the base of the rucks after Saracens held out the maul. The scrum-half fired a poor pass beyond Keatley, and Conway slipped as he looked to clean up. Barritt won the turnover penalty.

A real waste of excellent field position. Sarries on the attack now after their own line-out…

24 minutes - Munster just won’t run it out of their own half. Clear strategy not to take risks in there. Sarries’ latest attack broke down through another knock-on, but no sign of the counter from Munster. Keatley has had some nice touches with the boot.

26 minutes - Then they turn on the pressure in the Saracens half. First they pinch a line-out, then Zebo grubbers behind and chases, forcing Goode into a poor clearing kick. Throw-in for Casey on the Saracens 22…

26 minutes - Big maul and then with the penalty advantage, Keatley tries a cross-field kick to Conway! The right win gets a hand to the ball, but it rebounds into touch. That was a brilliant Munster maul and deserving of the penalty.

Here’s Keatley from a similar position to last time, a little more central…

PENALTY! Munster 3-0 Saracens (Keatley ’27)

30 minutes - Simon Zebo hasn’t had too much to do so far, other than chase high kicks.

Simon Zebo and Chris Ashton Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

31 minutes - Scrum penalty goes the way of Saracens. Barrington gets one over on Botha, and now Farrell fires it into the Munster 22. Their first visit in this game…

32 minutes – Saracens test Munster’s D, but it holds up well. They end up grubbering behind through Bosch, but Zebo is there to gather. He’s driven into touch and Sarries go again…

32 minutes - Goode almost stands up Zebo wide on the right, but the left wing does well to get back and haul him down. However, Garces comes back for a penalty after Munster dragged down the initial Saracens maul.

Farrell inside the Munster 22, out on the left…

34 minutes - Wow, that’s a bad miss! He’s dragged it left and wide. Really should have scored there, 15 metres in from the left touchline and only 20 out from the tryline. Thomond Park is loving that from Farrell!

36 minutes – Real pressure from Sarries in the Munster 22 now…

36 minutes - That’s frustrating for Munster! They soak up everything Saracens throw at them in attack, sheer work rate. But then they’re pinged for hands on the deck at ruck time. Garces didn’t hesitate.

It means Farrell has another shot at goal, from the same position on the other side of the posts…

PENALTY! Munster 3-3 Saracens (Farrell ’38)

39 minutes - Incredible silence for that last kick. Farrell gets the business done this time. Saracens have made a change.

Jim Hamilton is off, with Mouritz Botha on in his place.

39 minutes - Scrum penalty to Munster! Huge one. Botha gets his revenge on Barrington on Munster’s tighthead side. Keatley to put Munster into the lead before the break.

He’s 37 metres out, just to the right of the posts…

40 minutes - He’s dragged it wide to the left!

HALF TIME! Munster 3-3 Saracens!

What did you make of that half?

The vast majority of it was played in Saracens territory, but Munster didn’t get huge rewards from that territory. Oftentimes, they didn’t actually have possession, kicking the ball high and contestable on a number of occasions.

Murray’s loose pass when they were just a metre out could be costly when we look back at the game. That was the one clear-cut chance for Munster to score, camped as they were on the Sarries tryline.

Two misses off the tee from Keatley in that half, both of which he might feel were within his range. Will this encounter stay low-scoring or are the tries coming after the break? Two strong defences have ruled the game so far.

Ian Keatley kicks a penalty Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Munster have just informed us that this is a sell-out. 25,600 tickets sold!

Clearly everyone doesn’t agree with our opinion that that was an excellent half of rugby. Not free-flowing running rugby, but the collisions have been big and the kicking battle has been intriguing.

Easy to understand why others don’t agree, of course.

Andrew Conway has done the unglamorous wing’s work well for Munster so far. A superb kick chase and turnover assist on Kelly Brown early on stands out. He’s improved in his chasing so much this season, looking to do more at the breakdown too.

Kelly Brown is tackled by Andrew Conway Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Both teams back out now…

41 minutes - Ian Keatley gets the game restarted!

41 minutes - A comforting stat for Munster fans here as Dave Foley claims a line-out.

42 minutes - Munster kick away possession with their first chance once again, from just inside their own half. Foley really doesn’t want them messing around in there. Saracens fire it back into touch, then Munster lose their line-out.

44 minutes - Saracens’ turn to use the aerial bomb, but Munster deal with it comfortably. Neither side getting good return in following up their own kicks.

Sarries attack again now, before Farrell puts boot to ball and beautifully rolls it into touch eight metres out from Munster’s tryline.

45 minutes - Brilliant kick return from Saracens! Almost leads to a score. Murray box kicked clear, but Goode went on the counter and offload to Ashton to bust the line. The wing then attempted a low diagonal kick to Strettle steaming forward on the left, but it just beat him into touch!

Barrington is off for Rhys Gill early in this second half.

47 minutes - Saracens putting together the phases now, up to the Munster 22 before Strettle grubbers it away and Murray is in position to clean up. However, Garces has given Saracens a scrum five metres out from the Munster tryline.

Seems Murray knocked that on on the deck. Big defensive scrum needed here.

50 minutes - And there it is! Munster drive Saracens off the ball and O’Donnell gets in to scoop it up! Saracens then infringe at the ruck and Garces gives Munster a penalty! Superb defensive effort.

52 minutes - Munster still kicking everything, and we mean everything, out of their half. But those kicks are from weak positions at times and Saracens are starting to counter off them really dangerously. Munster have to lay a better platform for Keatley if they are going to continue with these tactics.

52 minutes – We’re with the TMO here, and Rhys Gill could be in trouble. He flipped CJ Stander right over at a ruck, lifting his right leg and sending him crashing down…

YELLOW CARD! Rhys Gill ’52

Can Munster take advantage of this now? They kick up to Sarries 10-metre line…

53 minutes - Penalty to Munster! No release in the tackle as Munster burst forward, first through Stander, then Casey. O’Donnell was strong after the line-out too.

Keatley now, from 26 metres out, 15 in from the right touchline…

PENALTY! Munster 6-3 Saracens (Keatley ’54)

55 minutes - And Murray with a nice box kick to clear Munster’s lines. Sarries will go back on the attack from this line-out…

56 minutes - Peter O’Mahony putting in a typically abrasive shift. Forward pass from Sarries ended that attack.

Peter O'Mahony appeals a decision Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

57 minutes - Another big moment for Munster as Conway breaks! Stander follows up with a heavy carry, then Keatley grubbers into the left corner. Big chance to put pressure on the throw here…

58 minutes - De Kock finds touch from the base of the collapsed line-out catch and Munster will now look to build from 22 metres out!

59 minutes - Munster close now after Cronin, Stander and Botha make yards. Five metres out…

60 minutes – TMO! Munster think they’ve scored in the right corner!

60 minutes - Conway looks to have squeezed over! Waiting on a decision…

NO TRY! Garces and his TMO Eric Gauzins say no!

Munster win a penalty and kick it into the corner though. They go again.

Kilcoyne on for Cronin.

TRY! Munster 11-3 Saracens (Kilcoyne ’61)

Instant impact! Huge maul goes barging over, superb work.

62 minutes - No conversion from Keatley, he’s wide again. But that is a huge try. Gill’s yellow card has really cost Saracens.

63 minutes - Gill is back on the pitch for Saracens after his sin binning, but Munster have gone to touch after another penalty decision their way. Casey throws in on the Saracens’ 22, but it’s picked off!

64 minutes - Brilliant kick from Keatley! He launches one in behind Goode, who scampers back to attempt the catch, but manages to spill it into touch out on the left. Munster line-out now, just 10 metres out. The maul again?

64 minutes - Munster come forward, pick and go, pick and go…

DROP GOAL! Munster 14-3 Saracens (Keatley ’66)

All the pressure pays off as the Munster out-half fires over from inside the 22, straight in front of the posts.

Wray is on for Fraser on the Saracens side.

67 minutes - Now Munster pick off a Saracens line-out! Murray kicks a high box, and O’Donnell wins it back! Then Conway wins another one from Keatley! Brilliant competition in the air.

68 minutes - Another sublime Ian Keatley kick from hand! He strikes it with the outside of his right foot tight to the touchline, but makes almost 60 metres as it bounces in behind Vunipola and into touch.

Peter O’Mahony leaves the pitch, with Robin Copeland on in his place.

70 minutes - Munster win a scrum penalty inside the Sarries 22! Garces pings the English side for hauling that one to deck. BJ Botha with another huge involvement! Keatley lines it up, again 15 metres in from the right touchline. 23 metres out…

71 minutes – No, he’s missed again. Let off for Sarries and the Munster out-half looks stressed by that one. Light drizzle falling now as O’Connell claims the Sarries clearance…

72 minutes - Conway bursts into the Sarries 22!

73 minutes - They rumble close again…

73 minutes - But it’s a penalty to Sarries, right under their own posts! Looks like Munster’s supporting players went off their feet at ruck time. Changes for Munster, all three men departing were excellent.

Guinazu for Casey, Archer for Botha and Holland on for Dave Foley.

74 minutes - Still Munster look to the high box kick out of their own half, and they win it again! But there’s Garces with the whistle again, and Saracens kick the penalty into Munster’s half on the right touchline.

O’Connell not happy with Garces interpretation and lets him know. Here come Saracens…

76 minutes - Jackson Wray breaks through and gets away an offload in the Munster 22, but it’s knocked on by Farrell as he arrives in to gather! Munster hold out again!

76 minutes -  As ScewMadd points out in the comments section, this just happened:

Ha. Ashton just fell over his own feet in an acre of space. What a sight.

76 minutes - Munster denying Saracens a losing bonus point could be absolutely crucial later in the pool stages. Just a few more minutes left to hold out. Murray to feed into this defensive scrum in the Munster 22…

77 minutes - And he boxes out after a big Stander carry. McCall’s men bound back into the Munster half, but Brown knocks on as they force the offload! Munster with another chance to clear from this scrum.

79 minutes - Scrum penalty to Munster! Kilcoyne gets the decision as he and Johnston go to ground, he’s had a real impact in replacing Kilcoyne. Another two changes for Foley’s men:

Hanrahan on for Keatley, van den Heever in for Zebo.

79 minutes - Duncan Williams is also on for Conor Murray. Garces calls a halt to play after a big head-on-head collision between Fraser and Archer. The Saracens openside looks a little worse for wear, staggering as he gets to his feet.

With just a minute left on the clock, Munster will have the feed to the scrum.

80 minutes - Garces forced to reset the scrum, and time is almost up…

80 minutes - Munster keep attacking, but then Conway scoops it up and kicks it into touch!

FULL TIME! Munster 14-3 Saracens!

Munster’s tactics worked perfectly in that win! They just didn’t give Saracens a sniff of territory for almost the entire game. Foley’s men looked to kick deep into the English side’s 22 or put up contestable bombs, competing really well in the air.

When they got into the visitors’ 22, they were effective in eking out their points. Had Keatley kicked a few more of his chances, it would have been an even more comprehensive victory.

Munster are back out on the pitch to thank their fans here at Thomond. Sell-out crowd for the biggest game of the season and they go their rewards for turning up. All four points to Munster and they deny Mark McCall’s side the losing bonus point.

That’s all we have time for on the liveblog, but stay tuned for reaction from Thomond Park. Thanks for the comments, and keep them coming. Cheers!

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