Saracens vs Munster LIVE: Stream, score and latest updates from Champions Cup semi-final
Follow the latest from the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final at the Ricoh Arena
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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.
What time does it start?
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.
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.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments