Munster edge past Saracens
01/11/2025 03:10 PM
MATCH REPORT: Munster shrugged off a poor first-half display to earn a vital win in their Champions Cup win over Saracens at Thomond Park on Saturday.
After a tight first half with only penalties exchanged, Munster got the first try of the match through Dian Bleuler from short range.
Before John Hodnett finished a great break to extend their lead they ran out 17-12 winners after Saracens only managed another penalty.
Two Alex Lozowski penalties gave three-time champions Saracens a 6-3 lead at half-time as they targeted a third straight win in this season's competition.
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Tries from Dian Bleuler and John Hodnett in the space of five second-half minutes denied the Premiership side and handed Munster a welcome boost after a disappointing defeat by Castres last time out.
Munster's win edges them ahead of Saracens with one pool round remaining.
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Scorers:
For Munster:
Tries: Bleuler, Hodnett
Cons: Crowley 2
Pens: Crowley
For Saracens:
Pens: Lozowski 3, Daly
Teams
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Jack O'Donoghue, 5 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 4 Fineen Wycherley, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dian Bleuler.
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, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Harry Wilson, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Jamie George, 1 Phil Brantingham.
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.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie (France) & Pierre Bru (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
Source @InvestecChampionsCup
