Saracens vs Munster LIVE: Stream, score and latest updates from Champions Cup semi-final
Follow the latest updates live from the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final between Saracens and Munster, brought to you from the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Saracens are looking to make it a third final in four seasons as they attempt to reclaim the trophy that was once theirs, but the build-up to this afternoon’s match has been blighted by accusations of salary cap breaches, the social media controversy involving Billy Vunipola and an awful recent away record. And while they may be the home side, the semi-final has to take place at a neutral venue, meaning the reigning Premiership champions have left Allianz Park for the Ricoh.
Munster meanwhile are out for revenge following their 2017 semi-final defeat by Saracens, and the prospect of an all-Irish final remains a very real possibility with Leinster taking on Toulouse in Sunday’s semi-final. Follow the live updates below.
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Heineken Champions Cup semi-final between Saracens and Munster, brought to you from the Ricoh Arena.
Well even by Sarries' standards, this week has been a tricky one. Fresh off the back of the salary cap allegations, which the club have denied, the Israel Folau scandal somehow managed to include the reigning Premiership champions as Billy Vunipola voiced his support for the noe-sacked Australian rugby player. Add to that a run of five straight losses away from home, and there's plenty to worry about.
But as Sam Peters wrote this week, that's normally just how they like it.
And so to the team selection. Following his club warning, Billy Vunipola was brought straight back into the starting line-up, but the eye-catching name was that of his brother as Mako Vunipola returns from two months out with an ankle injury. Brad Barritt is also fit to start after recovering from his own ankle knock, and it's pretty much a full strength Saracens that Mark McCall has named.
For Munster, they suffered an early blow with Ireland centre Keith Earls failing to recover from a thigh injury in training this week, so Darrenn Sweetnam is named on the wing. They are also without star fly-half Joey Carbery, so Tyler Bleyendaal takes the reins at 10.
With 10 minutes to go until kick-off, here's a look at how the two teams line up this afternoon:
Saracens: Alex Goode; Sean Maitland, Alex Lozowski, Brad Barritt, Liam Williams; Owen Farrell, Ben Spencer; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Titi Lamositele; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Michael Rhodes, Jackson Wray, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Joe Gray, Richard Barrington, Vincent Koch, Will Skelton, Schalk Burger, Richard Wigglesworth, Nick Tompkins, David Strettle.
Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Arno Botha, Alby Mathewson, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Goggin.
A big cheer goes up for Billy Vunipola from the Saracens supporters, and it appears that all is forgiven when it comes to the last two weeks.
That said, the Saracens support is vastly outnumbered here by the sea of red that has crossed the Irish Sea, and it's fair to say that the famous Munster backiny has turned up once again.
2 mins: It's the perfecr start for Saracens. Two Ben Spencer box-kicks are regathered by the Men in Black, and from the resultant breakdown O'Mahony is penalised by referee Jerome Garces for offside. Despite some choice language from one Munster fan, Farrell sends the penalty sailing through the posts and Saracens lead. 3-0
5 mins: Saracens' kicking game is killing Munster early on here. Spencer's first two box-kicks were both to perfection, and Farrell follows suit with a smart kick across field that is inch-perfect for Strettle. It allows Farrell to drop back into the pocket and...what's this? A drop-goal attempt! Farrell's effort is poor though, and that was a wasted chance.
8 mins: O'Mahony makes up for his early infringement by getting over the ball and winning a breakdown penalty for Munster. Bleyendaal kicks to touch inside the Saracens half.
9 mins: Another penalty to Munster comes on the edge of the 22 as Vunipola is pinged for going off his feet at the ruck in attempting to slow it down. Bleyendaal will go for posts.
12 mins: Saracens attempt to attack right to left and Farrell puts in a low chip behind that finds touch. But Munster's set-piece is working well and they clear their lines comfortably.
13 mins: A first big test for Andrew Conway comes when Farrell puts up a high bomb for the wing to tend with, and he's perfectly up to the task with a clean catch and mark despite pressure from Liam Williams and Alex Lozowski.
The boos have increased now for Billy Vunipola by the way, with the Munster fans starting to warm up into the boiling atmosphere.
15 mins: A smart kick behind from Goode gives Strettle something to chase for, but Rory Scannell just sweeps round to collect the ball on his own 5m line and brush off the tackle that follows before kicking clear. Farrell runs it back and Saracens attack again, but when play comes in-field Stander gets his hands on the ball and that's a penalty for the Irish side.
17 mins: Wow that's a big call. Spencer puts another box-kick up and Farrell's eyes light up as he sees full-back Mike Haley preparing to catch it. Farrell nails Haley hard, and when the Saracens forwards flood in to attack the ball Garces gives Saracens the penalty. The Munster fans are furious, but Garces sticks with his decision and Farrell will go for goal.
22 mins: Conway looks high to the heavens as he thinks he's through onto a loose ball, but Garces has come back for a Munster knock-on and Saracens have the scrum put-in about four metres inside the Munster 22.
24 mins: Farrell throws a beautiful flat pass for Williams but Haley takes man and ball and stops the Welshman in his tracks emphatically. This is impressive pressure from Saracens though, and they attack right with space for Strettle - who wisely passes in-field to the Munster defence before going into touch and Sweetnam takes it into touch to give Saracens a 5m lineout.
26 mins: Another penalty for Saracens about 15m out for the Munster defence not rolling away, with Chris Farrell penalised. It actually followed a nice tackle on Goode, and that was probably a bit harsh on the Irish side.
Saracens vs Munster kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 20 April.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 2:15pm.
Teams
Saracens:Alex Goode; Sean Maitland, Alex Lozowski, Brad Barritt, Liam Williams; Owen Farrell, Ben Spencer; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Titi Lamositele; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Michael Rhodes, Jackson Wray, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Joe Gray, Richard Barrington, Vincent Koch, Will Skelton, Schalk Burger, Richard Wigglesworth, Nick Tompkins, David Strettle.
Munster:Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Arno Botha, Alby Mathewson, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Goggin.
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