Munster warriors score precious victory over Saracens
- Updated: 11/01/2025
Munster17, Saracens 12
A THRILLING Investec game of rugby heated the Limerick stadium tonight with Munster shading the 80 minute battle. Right up to the final whistle it was touch and go but the home side will now go to Northampton with their tails up.
A fiercely fought first half saw Sarries lead 3-6 at the break at the break with Sarries dominating the first 20 minutes and the home side enjoying the lion’s share of the second 20 minutes. Right from the kick-off the visitors scored, Alex Lozowski kicking a penalty from in front of the posts at the Ballynanty end after 42 seconds. A spill by Beirne resulted in the score reading 3-6 when Alex Lozowski kicked a second penalty and it looked as if Munster were trouble with ten minutes played. Aother spill,this time from Calvin Nash with 19 mins played, played into the hands of the English side and with 20 minutes gone Saracens looked the better side and were well worth their six point lead.
Munster could not get any fluency into their backline play but with 28 minutes on the clock Munster got their first chance of putting points on the board, Crowley kicking a penalty into the corner, they were awarded a penalty and Jack Crowley from 31 metres, split the posts. With now only three points between the sides with 26 minutes played. A brilliant catch and run from Crowley should have finished with a try but the out-half knocked-on. Ten minutes from half time Munster got another chance to gain territory but Crowley muffed his kick. The home side kept up the pressure and Crowley pumped the ball into touch in the corner but the maul decision went in favour of Sarries. After constant pressure the home side notched a score, Jack Crowley finding the target with a well-struck penalty from close in.
The second half saw Munster attack but once again there was a knock-on, Tom Farrell spilling the pass. As the fog threatened to descend Saracens were awarded a penalty and this time Elliott Daly found the target on 46 minutes to increase the lead to 3-9 with 45 minutes played. A penalty chance on 50 minutes presented a chance of a score but Crowley’s kick drifted wide. Munster rang the changes with a few players called ashore and it appeared to spark their attack but at the other end Sarries missed a chance when tjey failed to kick a drop goal.
With the home support rising their voices coming up to the 60 minute mark Munster got the first try of the game when Dian Bleuler forced his way over and Crowley adding the extras to put themselves a point ahead 10-9. It got better for the home side with John Hodnett crashing over, Crowley added the two points and it was Saracens who now trailed by 17-9 on 65 minutes. They cut the lead to five points on 70 minutes, Alex Lozowski kicking a penalty and five minutes before the finish Ssarries missed a glorious chance of a try at the Mayorstone end.
Referee, Pierre Brousset (Fra)
AR1: Vivien Praderie (Fra)
AR2: Pierre Bru (Fra)
TMO: Tual Trainini, (Fra)
Munster Rugby: 15. Mike Haley, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Rory Scannell, 11. Shane Daly, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Conor Murray, 1. Dian Bleuler, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. Oli Jager, 4. Fineen Wycherley, 5. Tadhg Beirne (c), 6. Jack O’Donoghue, 7. Alex Kendellen, 8. Gavin Coombes
Replacements: 16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. John Ryan, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Tom Ahern, 20. John Hodnett, 21. Paddy Patterson, 22. Billy Burns, 23. Brian Gleeson
Saracens: 15. Elliot Daly, 14. Liam Williams, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Lucio Cinti Luna, 10. Fergus Burke, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 1. Phil Brantingham, 2. Jamie George, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Maro Itoje (c), 5. Harry Wilson, 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Tom Willis.
Replacements: 16. Theo Dan, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Alec Clarey, 19. Max Eke, 20. Nathan Michelow, 21. Gareth Simpson, 22. Olly Hartley, 23. Tobias Elliott
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